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CASE FOR DEFENCE

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho ‘has approached’ Alex Sandro and Samuel Umtiti as he eyes summer rebuild

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JOSE MOURINHO wants to add Alex Sandro and Samuel Umtiti to his Manchester United defence as he plans a continued revolution of the Old Trafford back line.

According to reports, the Portuguese is tracking the experienced pair to reinforce the back four, with doubts over existing defenders.

 Samuel Umtiti, left, is expected to star for France at this summer's World Cup
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Samuel Umtiti, left, is expected to star for France at this summer's World CupCredit: AFP or licensors
 Alex Sandro has impressed for Juventus at left back since signing from Porto in 2016
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Alex Sandro has impressed for Juventus at left back since signing from Porto in 2016Credit: Getty - Contributor

The  reports Mourinho wants to add "decisive" players at the back in a bid to make the defence more aggressive against big-game opponents.

There remain doubts from the United boss over the likes of Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling.

Meanwhile his own signings like Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have featured more as the season has gone one, despite the Ivorian having injury problems of his own.

Sandro, 27, has starred for Juventus at left back since signing from Porto in 2016.

 Jose Mourinho wants his defenders to be more aggressive
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Jose Mourinho wants his defenders to be more aggressiveCredit: AFP or licensors
 Samuel Umtiti, right, has been a key part of the Barcelona side that have marched to the top of La Liga this term
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Samuel Umtiti, right, has been a key part of the Barcelona side that have marched to the top of La Liga this termCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
 Sandro goes up for a header against Atalanta's Bryan Christante
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Sandro goes up for a header against Atalanta's Bryan ChristanteCredit: AFP or licensors
 Jose Mourinho wants a more aggressive defence in front of David De Gea
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Jose Mourinho wants a more aggressive defence in front of David De GeaCredit: REUTERS

The Brazilian is also out of the picture for his national team, having not featured for Tite in the most recent pre-World Cup friendlies against Russia and Germany, but he met up and trained with the squad.

He also missed Juventus' latest game with AC Milan through injury.


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Instead the Brazil boss prefers to play Dani Alves on the right and Marcelo on the left side of defence.

Barcelona defender Umtiti has a £52.8million release clause in his Nou Camp contract and would be a major coup for United in their bid to sure up the men in front of David De Gea.

The 24-year-old is expected to line up alongside Raphael Varane in the centre of France's defence at this summer's tournament in Russia.

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