Manchester United transfer news: Rio Ferdinand warns club over Paul Pogba

Former United defender Ferdinand has told executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to keep the 25-year-old

Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United not to sell Paul Pogba and told them to do everything they can to sign Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld before Thursday's deadline.

With speculation about the France midfielder's future once again rife amid interest from Barcelona, former United defender Ferdinand has told executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to keep the 25-year-old.

Manager Jose Mourinho has already predicted a "difficult season" if United do not do more business, so losing a World Cup-winning midfielder would only add to that.

As a result, Ferdinand - who made over 450 appearance for United - wants Pogba to stay and Spurs defender Alderweireld to come in.

Referencing reports that Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, is looking at the Nou Camp as a possible new home for his player, Ferdinand said: "Don't you dare allow this ED.... #MUFC is Pogba's home!! Silence these rumours ASAP & get AlderweireldTob through the door."

United start their Premier League campaign on Friday at Leicester and, speaking on Sunday, Mourinho told MUTV: "My CEO knows what I want and I still have a few days to wait and see what happens.

"The other clubs who compete with us are really strong and already have fantastic teams. Or they are investing massively like Liverpool, who are buying everything and everybody."

Mourinho is adamant the club sign him an authoritative centre-half, but the Old Trafford have encountered more frustration in their pursuit of Alderweireld.

Spurs have let it be known they would sell but only at a certain price - understood to be over £55m - and United are still no closer to meeting it. In what has become a game of brinksmanship, United are now considering moves for two players who they have had long-standing interest in: Boateng and Gimenez.

Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure this preseason (REUTERS)

The Atletico defender would be difficult to prise away at this stage, but Boateng has spoken of his desire to try new football challenges after so long at Bayern.

United will still press ahead with a move for Alderweireld, but the frustration of the situation is forcing them to look elsewhere.

It does remain true that there are unresolved issues between Pogba and Mourinho from last season - especially in terms of tactics and how they interact. That has led to Raiola looking at what else is out there, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola famously revealing last season that he had been offered the midfielder.

United have no intention of selling Pogba this summer (Getty Images)

Despite all of that, even Mourinho believes it would be folly to sell Pogba now.

That is even more pronounced for United as a whole, who see Pogba as central to their commercial plans as much as the team, as the future of the club.