Mourinho ready to sell Jones and Smalling

LONDON: Jose Mourinho is preparing to overhaul his Manchester United defence this summer with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling facing the axe at Old Trafford.

The pair have failed impress throughout the season for United, with Smalling particularly coming in for criticism following the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Sunday.

The 28-year-old was booked for a dive and the resulting free-kick led to Matt Richie's goal which consigned United to defeat.

Jones produced an underwhelming display in United's 2-0 loss to Tottenham at Wembley earlier this month.

He netted an own goal for Tottenham's second, with Mourinho's description of the finish as 'an amazing goal Harry Kane would love to score' far from supportive.

Yet while Mourinho has decided his defence needs strengthening, United actually have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.

They have only conceded 19 times this season - leaders Manchester City have let in 20.

And that is despite first choice central defender Eric Bailly being out injured since November.

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and Leicester centre-half Harry Maguire are names that feature on a shortlist of replacements.