Jose Mourinho sees Nemanja Matic transfer as key as Antoine Griezmann's plus other Manchester United news

All the latest rumours coming out of Old Trafford on Monday 16th January, 2017

Mourinho sees Matic as Carrick's successor

Manchester United extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games and took a small step closer to the Champions League places with the draw against Liverpool on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho is desperate to strengthen his squad and rebuild it in his image and, according to the Mirror, he has made Nemanja Matic a priority signing.

United banked £22m for the sale of Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton last week and want to reinvest it in Matic, who Mourinho sees as Michael Carrick’s successor.

He reportedly sees signing Matic as equally important to his plans as signing Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann – who will be his main summer target – and plans to play him alongside Ander Herrera.

Another midfield target on United’s radar is 20-year-old Franck Kessie, according to Sky Italia.

The Ivory Coast international is a target for several Premier League sides after impressing in his performances for Atalanta in Serie A.

Chelsea and Liverpool have both been keeping tabs on Kessie, but United have stolen a march on their rivals, with Mourinho a big fan of the £22m-rated midfielder.

Mourinho is also moving quickly to keep goalkeeper David De Gea pleased by triggering a one-year extension in his contract, according to The Sun.

The move will see De Gea secure a bumper pay rise, increasing his wages from a reported £180,000-a-week to more than £200,000-a-week, in a bid to keep him away from the clutches of Real Madrid, whom he nearly joined in 2015.

One player who could leave Old Trafford this month, albeit on loan, is Marcus Rashford, with La Liga-chasing Sevilla keen to take him on, say The Sun.

It is unlikely Mourinho will sanction the move but given that he did not turn to the teenager on Sunday when United were chasing a goal against Liverpool could prove telling.