Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin starred under Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho leaves his home in London
If (when) Jose Mourinho is appointed by Manchester United, a new midfielder or two is said to be his first port of call.
The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that a bid for Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez will be launched by the Red Devils, who were also linked with Sporting’s Joao Mario by the same paper this week.
With a new deal also being mooted for Michael Carrick, things are beginning to look ominous for last summer’s recruit Morgan Schneiderlin, who was in and out of Louis van Gaal’s team and overlooked for Saturday’s FA Cup final.
West Ham’s Mark Noble and Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin in action
The Frenchman, who failed to make Didier Deschamps’ squad for this summer’s Euros in his homeland, was Saints’ player of the year in 2012-13 – the season in which Mauricio Pochettino arrived at the club – and drew a host of suitors throughout the ensuing two campaigns.
One of those was reported, by the Guardian, to be Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur, though Southampton dug their heels and managed to keep hold of Schneiderlin for a further 12 months.
When the 26-year-old eventually departed St. Mary’s, it was for the might of Manchester United, who’d recently secured a return to the Champions League.
This time around, United are devoid of that particular luxury, while Spurs will breeze right through to next season’s group stages.
The north Londoners are believed to be in the midfield market themselves, with Victor Wanyama tipped for White Hart Lane again on Wednesday, courtesy of the Sun.
Manchester City’s Samir Nasri in action with Southampton’s Victor Wanyama
But is the powerful Kenyan the best bet for Tottenham? Surely Schneiderlin’s elegant style is more in-keeping with that of the suave Spurs side designed by Pochettino over the past two seasons.
With Tom Carroll seemingly on his way out and Ryan Mason being courted by several Premier League clubs, you could argue there’s a need for a player like Schneiderlin at White Hart Lane.
Despite a productive campaign, the anticipated improvement of those around them means the Lilywhites must strengthen from a position of strength this summer.
Adding Schneiderlin would be a solid start, and could suit all parties as Mourinho looks to stamp his (ahem…) signature on Manchester United.
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino
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