Jose Mourinho ready to part with defensive duo and sign Jose Fonte

Jose Mourinho is still keen to bring in an experienced defender to shore up Manchester United's defence and Southampton's Jose Fonte is the player that has been identified by the Portuguese manager as his fifth summer signing. The Saints skipper was part of the Portugal squad that won the Euros this summer and is expected to add experience and provide guidance to the young defenders in the Red Devils squad.

According to Manchester Evening News, the former Chelsea manager is ready to trim his squad before making a move for Fonte and is reportedly willing to part with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo to ensure he signs the Southampton defender. The duo have failed to feature thus far this season with Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind ahead of them in the pecking order and Mourinho is ready to sacrifice them to make room for his compatriot.

Bailly and Blind have started the season at the heart of the United defence and have conceded just one goal in their two wins against Bournemouth and Southampton respectively. But the former lacks experience at the top level and the manager is keen to add it in the form of Fonte.

The 32-year-old Saints star has admitted that he is flattered by the 20-time English champions' interest, but the south coast club will be reluctant to part with one of their main players so late in the transfer window. Claude Puel has made it clear that he wants the defender to stay, but it will be difficult for the club to hold on to the player once United make their interest concrete.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News understands that Jones, who has yet to make the matchday squad in their first two league games, is on the radar of Stoke City. Mark Hughes is keen to bolster his backline something which became clear after Manchester City scored four goals in a 4-1 win in the Premier League on Saturday (20 August).