Jose confirms star is leaving and drops key hint on his summer transfer plans

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has stressed that he has no plans of overhauling the club’s defence during this summer’s transfer window.

The Portuguese manager has previously ruled out the possibility of bolstering the attack although he suggested that the midfield and defensive departments could be reinforced in the summer.

However, in a report covered by the club’s official website, Mourinho has appeared to backtrack from his statement by suggesting that there may not be potential departures to compensate for future signings.

He said: “I feel that I don’t have to open the door of what is internal business. What I can say is the same I said in relation to Darmian and Daley Blind – I want to keep them.”

“The only player that is leaving, for sure, is Michael [Carrick], who we have to replace with another player. There is not another one that in my reports to the board and to the owners I said I want to sell – not one.”

A previous report from The Times suggested that both Darmian and Blind could be shown the exit door to bring fresh faces in the full-back positions but based on Mourinho’s comments, he appears rather content with his options at the back.

Nevertheless, the supporters can expect some movement at the heart of the midfield with Carrick having already announced his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have been touted as potential replacements for the departing Englishman and it will be interesting to see which style of player arrives at Old Trafford this summer.