Mourinho set on bringing Real Madrid legend to Man United
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It’s a good time to follow Manchester United right now, with the Red Devils enjoying a six-game winning run. But boss Jose Mourinho is not one to rest on his laurels – and he’s now set his sights on improving the squad by signing Real Madrid ace Pepe.
United are firing up front and unbeaten in their last 12 outings, but having conceded on eight of those occasions, it’s easy to see why the Portuguese boss is keen to bolster his backline.
And with the 33-year-old’s contract at the Bernabeu ending this summer, United could well pick up one of the game’s most decorated defenders on a free.
That means the bookies make Mourinho far more likely to swoop for Pepe in the next transfer window – with 16/1 for him to move to Old Trafford this month, but 2/1 for the Red Devils to secure his signature by the end of the summer.
It certainly seems unlikely he’ll stay in Madrid beyond this season. The Portuguese international has played just 10 times under manager Zinedine Zidane so far this campaign.
However, the former Porto man showed he’s still among the world’s best centre-backs at Euro 2016, playing every minute of Portugal’s victorious campaign – and drawing plenty of plaudits for his displays.
Having also won the Champions League twice, as well as a pair of league titles in both Spain and Portugal, his experience could also be invaluable in a United side filled with young talents like Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.
The centre-half would also be likely to slot straight into the United set-up, having become well acquainted with Mourinho’s approach to the game – with the pair spending three years together in the Spanish capital.
For now though, the Man United gaffer’s attention will be on today’s meeting with West Ham United as his side visit London Stadium for the first time.
It’s 4/7 for a Red Devils’ victory, while 20/1 says they repeat the 4-1 battering of the Irons which occurred last time these sides met.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
