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Mourinho’s shopping list: Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic move to Old Trafford is imminent

Sports

By Mirror | Jun 19, 2016

Manchester United 's incoming boss has already prepared a shopping list of stars he wants next season - and his former Stamford Bridge holding midfielder Matic figures prominently.

Manager Mourinho wants his United team to have more of a physical presence and his signing of powerful Villarreal defender Eric Bailly and now his pursuit of Matic is clear evidence he wants to beef up his new side.

Although defender Darmian is a first-choice starter for Italy boss Antonio Conte, who is heading to Chelsea as manager once Euro 2016 is over, he had a mixed first season at Old Trafford after his £12million move from Torino last summer.

Conte would like to take the 26-year-old right back to Stamford Bridge - and that gives Mourinho a bargaining chip in his chase for Matic.

Mourinho is already believed to have made his own analysis of United's squad and has phoned some players to assure them they are in his plans.

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But Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay are all under threat.

France midfielder Schneiderlin, signed from Southampton last summer, could be squeezed out if Matic arrives at his position — new Everton boss Ronald Koeman is watching developments closely after taking over at Goodison Park.

He'd happily snap up Schneiderlin, who played for him at Saints, if Mourinho makes him available - although Everton would have to stump up the £25m United paid Southampton a year ago.

Meanwhile, £16m Dutch defender Daley Blind has emerged as a target for Arsenal , with Mourinho yet to make a decision on whether the versatile star is his type of player.

Blind was used at centre-back last season, but Mourinho believes he's too small for that role - which has put Arsene Wenger on alert.

The Royals' Championship rivals Birmingham are waiting for an answer from United on whether striker James Wilson will be loaned out again as he was to second-tier Brighton last season.