Manchester United could sign Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti

Jose Mourinho has said that he needs more than the £300m that has been spent by him on the team so far. He is entirely correct. For all the money that was spent before him, there are too many clear duds for his style of coaching to work with. It would be useful if Mourinho could bring about some positive changes in the players he considers not good enough, but just look at the faces of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, and it is fair to conclude that there is absolutely no potential for competence residing between their respective ears.

Manchester United face competition for the transfer of Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon. Southampton are looking for the unreliable Daniel Sturridge, but also Sessegnon. They have an excellent track record of improving young players, and we can all look forward to him joining Liverpool in three seasons. United do need to get their hole into gear if they are to continue their stuttering improvement, mind.

Marco Asensio isn’t featuring much at Real Madrid this season, despite being mustard last season, but he isn’t so keen on talking up a move to Manchester United just yet. Give him a few months, and he’ll be using United to get a five-year contract at Real like the usual world class star does.

Barcelona are concerned that Manchester United could pay Samuel Umtiti’s release clause after Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool for six billion pounds yesterday. The Frenchman’s release clause is £50m, and City are apparently possible buyers too. Given there are about seven decent defenders in the world, the options are running out at the very best clubs. If you have kids, teach them how to play like John Terry (without the racism).

And lastly, United have now fallen so far that not even Marouane Fellaini is sure that he wants to hang around for much longer. I know the feeling.