Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo wanted by Villarreal as Jose Mourinho deems him surplus to requirements

VILLARREAL are interested in signing Marcos Rojo from Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.

The Argentina defender was brought to Old Trafford by Louis van Gaal in 2014 but has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier — and is thought to have been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss, Jose Mourinho.

Spanish daily, , claim he is now a target for the Liga side.

Villarreal continued their remarkable rise from relegation to the Spanish second division in 2011 as they finished fourth to ensure Champions League qualification last season.

And boss Marcelino sees Rojo’s big-game experience as an excellent addition to his squad as they prepare to compete in European football’s most glorious competition.

The 26-year-old left-sided central defender was part of the Argentina team which finished as runners up to Chile in this summer’s Copa America Centenario.

It was double trouble for Rojo — as well as his side suffering penalty shoot-out heartache, he was sent off for a horror challenge.

He was also part of the team which lost against the same opponents at the same stage a year earlier.

And, 12 months before that, Argentina started their remarkable run of major final heartbreak when they lost 1-0 against Germany in 2014 World Cup final.

It was in Brazil where Rojo came to the attention of former United boss, Van Gaal.

The Dutchman was manager of Holland at the World Cup and lead them to third place after — losing to Argentina in a semi-final penalty shoot-out.

Van Gaal was impressed by Rojo’s ability to fit in a centre-back and at left-back and persuaded the United board to pay Sporting Lisbon £16million.

He won one FA Cup during his two seasons at Old Trafford.