Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho determined not to sell Morgan Schneiderlin to Tottenham Hotspur

Mourinho believes he needs Schneiderlin to cope with United's Europa League campaign

(Getty)

Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is a transfer target for Premier League rivals Tottenham, with the club making lodging an enquiry in the hope of signing the France international.

United are determined not to sell the 26-year-old though and made it clear to Spurs that he is not available this summer, with Spurs beginning to consider other options such as Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko.

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs considered making a move for the former Southampton midfielder – who played under Pochettino at St Mary’s – given that he has only played five minutes of competitive football since Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal as manager at Old Trafford. Having joined United last summer, Schneiderlin has struggled to hold down a place in the starting line-up, and the arrival of world record signing Paul Pogba will not help his chances of first-team football.

With Marouane Fellaini preferred by Mourinho alongside Pogba, Schneiderlin will have to force his way into Mourinho’s plans – or force a move out of the club in the few hours remaining in the transfer window.

With Mourinho informing Bastian Schweinsteiger that he is not in his plans this season, the Portuguese is reluctant to let Schneiderlin leave as he will be needed to help cover United’s Europa League and cup campaigns, and despite Spurs manager Pochettino harbouring interest in reuniting with the Frenchman, he is believed to be resigned to missing out on him this summer.

Mourinho is happy with his squad despite failing to pull off a move for Southampton defender Jose Fonte, but there could yet be another exit at Old Trafford before the day is done after Inter Milan expressed an interest in right-back Matteo Darmian.

Darmian has fallen behind Antonio Valencia in the pecking order under Mourinho, while Phil Jones is also capable of covering out wide should he be needed. The Independent understands that Inter are looking into the possibility of launching a late move for the Italian. With Darmain struggling to tie down a regular place in United’s first team due to a string of injuries, Mourinho has elected to start the campaign with Valencia at right-back and has been rewarded by the Ecuadorean’s impressive form.

United are confident that they will still have Darmian among their ranks when the transfer window closes, although Inter could choose to test that belief with a last-minute offer.