Man United news: Jose Mourinho given green light to sign defender next month with Toby Alderweireld his No1 target

JOSE Mourinho has been told by Manchester United that he can sign a defender next month — with Toby Alderweireld the No1 target.

SunSport can reveal that during discussions between Mourinho, his agent Jorge Mendes and United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward last week, agreement was reached on plans for the January transfer window.

However, it looks likely that a compromise will have to be reached as the Old Trafford boss’ first choice - Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly - is regarded as too expensive at £90million.

Tottenham’s Alderweireld is out of contract next summer.

And Mourinho is confident that he can get the Belgium international for around £40m.

The 29 year old is seen as someone who can hit the ground running and boost the Red Devils’ ability to improve their Premier League position as well as compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

As revealed by Sunsport, United are prepared to go to war with Real Madrid to make Mauricio Pochettino their manager next summer.

After meeting with Mendes, however, Woodward is understood to have sanctioned the agent’s statement last Friday in which he stated that Mourinho was committed to the ‘United project’.

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Mourinho’s position remains under review but any change of manager is not expected to be considered until next summer.

The decision of the United board to invest in a new defender is seen as a necessary action to improve results short term rather than a vote of confidence in their embattled manager.