Toby Alderweireld to Man Utd: Mourinho ‘given go-ahead’ to sign defender

Toby Alderweireld to Man Utd: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been given the ‘go-ahead’ to pursue Tottenham’s defender.

Manchester United have had a struggling season so far. The side is currently 6th in the Premier League, and has conceded 26 goals in 16 games so far. After weeks of spending significant periods below Bournemouth and Everton in the league, Manchester United finally entered top-6 with a 4-1 win over Fulham.

Jose Mourinho, however, has been facing a defensive crisis at the moment. The central defence is a significant cause of worry for the coach, as Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling have been facing time on sidelines due to injury.

The Portuguese manager reportedly wanted the club to sign his list of defenders in the summer transfer window, but the board vetoed his transfer wishlist. However, Mourinho has now been given the go-ahead to sign Toby Alderweireld.

The Tottenham defender had been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

Toby Alderweireld to Man Utd:

According to Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho has been allowed by the Manchester United board to pursue Toby Alderweireld.

The club held a meeting with Jose Mourinho and Jorge Mendes, and various topics were discussed, including transfer plans for January, according to the English outlet. Mourinho is keen on bringing Alderweireld to Old Trafford, and according to Express, Spurs were willing to offer the player for 30 million pounds in the summer.

However, Manchester United denied the offer.

United’s defence has conceded the most goals of the top 6. It is evident by the fact that the side’s goal difference was in the negative before their 4-1 win over Claudio Ranieri’s Fulham last weekend.

Manchester United had a shaky start to the season, and changes were made in defence after Eric Bailly’s poor performances. Mourinho played Scott McTominay in the central defence, before switching to the centre-back pairing of Smalling and Lindelof.

The Swedish defender suffered an injury during the game against Crystal Palace last month, while Smalling is reportedly out with fracture.

What next?

Manchester United have also been linked with Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The side returns to action tomorrow night as they take on Valencia in the Champions League group stage. United have already qualified for the round-of-16 of the tournament.