MANCHESTER - Jose Mourinho believes Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose will become Manchester United’s next first-choice left back in a £50million deal.
The United boss is increasingly confident of landing the England defender next month or during the mid-season transfer window.
United were keen on the Tottenham player last summer but missed out as he was recovering from a long-term knee injury and Mauricio Pochettino refused to sell two full backs after off-loading Kyle Walker to Manchester City.
However, Rose’s position at Spurs has become less certain since the summer. His interview with The Sun newspaper in which he questioned the club’s wage structure and admitted that he’d consider a move away is known to have irked the Tottenham hierarchy.
He has also been omitted from match-day squads — including last month’s north London derby. Although Pochettino insists he has no problem with the defender, Spurs may be willing to listen to offers for Rose in January or next summer.
United admit that agreeing a deal with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy — a very tough negotiator — will be an arduous task.
Ashley Young, primarily an attacking player, is currently filling the left-back role, while Luke Shaw, a £28million capture from Southampton, is clearly not fancied by Mourinho.