UP FOR GRABS

Fellaini may head for the exit door

JOSE MOURINHO will listen to offers next month for any unhappy Manchester United players.

That could alert clubs keen on playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who has still to sign a new contract.

Fellaini is free to talk to overseas clubs when the January window opens.

And even though Mourinho has repeatedly said he wants to keep the Belgium star, any bid for him would offer United the chance to cash in on a player who can walk away for free next summer.

But there is also a group of players who have been left out in the cold in recent months, headed by Mkhitaryan who has been struggling to land even a place on the bench.

This time last year boss Mourinho allowed Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay to leave after they told him they wanted regular first-team football.

Any similar approach from his players will end the same way, as long as Mourinho receives a suitable offer.

He said: “I think for the right price. That’s my approach as a manager, in cases where the club advises me. I think every player has a price.

“If a player is not happy, if a player brings with him the request with the number that we consider a good number for us – like happened last season with Memphis and Morgan – I would never say no.”

That news will be greeted with interest from a number of foreign suitors for Fellaini.

French side Paris St-Germain and Turkish club Besiktas are understood to be on that list and can open negotiations next month. Fellaini’s own talks ® with United have stalled, reportedly over the length of the new deal being offered, and any chance the Red Devils have to cash in next month will be considered.

Shaw has appeared surplus to requirements and his recent return to Mourinho’s plans is seen by some as possibly being put in the shop window.

But the case of Mkhitaryan is the most curious. The Armenian, who had such a strong second half to last season and began this term in a similar fashion, is out of the picture.

Demand

There has been no suggestion he will demand a move but Mourinho’s latest comments have paved the way.

Mourinho admits he’s unlikely to sign anyone next month despite Eric Bailly facing ankle surgery that will rule out the defender for three months.

He said: “I’m not a big defender of the January market but there are players and situations that sometimes you have the chance to do and you shouldn’t lose that chance.

“I don’t like the January market just to buy. But if you can buy one you would buy in June for July, with the chance a few months before, then great.”

Mourinho takes United to West Brom tomorrow claiming that his experiences in returning Real Madrid to the top will stand him in good stead in his bid to close the gap on runaway leaders Manchester City.

He said: “When I went to Real Madrid, they were in a difficult moment. No league title or cup, not even a Champions League quarter-final for many years.

“It was hard but it was good for my development as a manager too which is something that I always try to do.”