Mourinho sends powerful message to Herrera and Mata about their future at Old Trafford

Ander Herrera and Juan Mata Photo by Getty Images

Jose Mourinho has ordered Ed Woodward to offer new contracts to Ander Herrera and Juan Mata.

The Manchester United boss is desperate for the duo to be kept at Old Trafford past the end of their current deals - which both run out at the end of this season.

Mourinho is a massive fan of Herrera and Mata due to their strong and positive influence on the dressing room, according to the Evening Standard.

But Woodward is less keen on the pair as he considers them both squad players, with better playing options ahead of them, such as Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.

The Portuguese has previously pushed for executive vice chairman Woodward to hand another dressing room ally, Marouane Fellaini, a fresh agreement last year - with Mourinho eventually getting his way with the Belgian handed a two-year extension.

Spanish midfielder Herrera has been at Old Trafford since 2014, when United activated his £32.4million release clause at Athletic Bilbao.

He has gone on to make 164 appearances for the Red Devils, helping to lift the FA Cup in 2016, EFL Cup in 2017 and the Europa League the same year.

But Herrera has found game time hard to come by this campaign with just a single Premier League start in three outings.

Fellow Spaniard Mata has managed more time on the pitch this season - making seven appearances across the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup, scoring twice.

The 30-year-old arrived at United in January 2014 to reunite with Mourinho - who he had previously played for at Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho with Ed Woodward

He has played 193 times for the Reds, winning the same trophies as Herrera.

United are in the process of negotiating new deals to Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and David de Gea.

Left back Shaw is currently the closest to agreeing to a five-year contract, along with a wage hike, after his sparkling start to the season.