Perisic move is back on
MOURINHO READY TO MAKE NEW BID FOR INTER WINGER
UNITED are expected to make another attempt to sign Internazionale winger Ivan Perisic this week.
M.E.N. Sport understands Jose Mourinho remains intent on making at least one more addition before the transfer deadline and United have not ended their Perisic pursuit.
Mourinho is also open to signing a defender – preferably a left-back – as Luke Shaw and Ashley Young continue to recover from long-term injuries.
There have been no further developments concerning Perisic since he flew to China for Inter’s pre-season tour on July 18 and United have since gauged the possibility of signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.
Inter are believed to have insisted on including Anthony Martial in any Perisic deal but United have dismissed that as brinkmanship and have no intention of selling the France international. Mourinho has not concealed his desire to recruit a forward over the last month and has repeatedly nudged Ed Woodward during his press conferences. The United manager said earlier this week he would ‘fight’ for Gareth Bale if Real Madrid did not play him in Tuesday night’s Super Cup but the Welshman started and Mourinho insisted afterwards it was ‘game over’ for United’s hopes of signing him. When asked if that was the end of United’s chances of luring Bale to Old Trafford, Mourinho replied: “I think so, I think clearly the club wants him, the manager wants him and he wants the club so it’s game over, even before it started.” United could reinforce their flanks with a left-back, although a deal for injured Spurs defender Danny Rose is likelier next summer. United unsuccessfully attempted to sign Rose’s Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier despite the midfielder’s desperation to make the move.
Right-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah is on the verge of joining Crystal Palace on loan but Mourinho could strengthen the other wing to accommodate United’s tactical shift to a back three. Jesse Lingard started as an auxiliary left wing-back against Madrid but was substituted at the interval.
United have shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier but that is believed to have been overstated elsewhere.
A week ago, Mourinho stressed: “I was hoping for four players to improve the squad. And the club did a fantastic job, absolutely fantastic, by getting three of them, which is difficult in the crazy market where we are now.”
I see no reason why they can’t do well in the Champions League, he’s a great manager Gareth Bale
JOSE Mourinho’s impact on United has won over Gareth Bale.
Unfortunately there has been no change of heart on his Real Madrid future but the Welsh international is convinced the Reds boss will restore United to their former glory.
Mourinho has declared it “game over” for his ambitions of bringing the Welshman to Old Trafford and the 28-year-old Galactico has said he wants to stay at the Bernabeu.
But that doesn’t lessen his admiration for the job Mourinho is doing at United.
Bale and the European Champions added the Super Cup in Skopje to their honours list after beating the Reds 2-1 on Tuesday after which Mourinho shut the door on a move for the winger.
However, Bale only sees good times ahead for United.
“United did very well (in the Super Cup). They gave us a difficult game and I’m sure they’ll do fantastic this season,” said Bale.
He believes the fear factor is beginning to grow again for the Reds.
“I think it’s getting there, obviously I think by bringing Mourinho in, it’s kind of boosted the club, by winning a few trophies last year, it did them great, and I think they’re getting back to where they belong.
“I see no reason why they can’t do well in the Champions League, he’s a great manager, he’s done everything in football, he knows what he’s doing and I’m sure he’s building a great team for what he hopes to achieve there.”
After the quick-fire surge in speculation over a potential move back to England before it was extinguished by Mourinho, Bale has emphasised he wants to battle it out at the Bernabeu.
“I’m happy to fight for my place. We’re all fighting for our places anyway. It’s nothing new in football, it happens at every club, you just carry on like normal.
“We’re enjoying winning, enjoying winning trophies, like everyone would, so for us, we’re hungry to win everything, still want to keep winning games, winning trophies, so yeah we just carry on like that. “I think for any footballer you want to win as many trophies as you can, so that’s the main thing.”