Southampton captain Jose Fonte admits he is flattered by Manchester United transfer rumours

Southampton captain Jose Fonte is flattered by rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United. The Portuguese defender is claimed to be a transfer target of new United boss Jose Mourinho.

Fonte, 32, has admitted he is pleased to be linked with a switch to the Old Trafford club. However, he insisted his immediate priority was Southampton, who started their Premier League campaign with a draw against Watford at the weekend.

"If the interest is there, it is a reason to be flattered to be associated with a club like Manchester United," Fonte said, according to Mais Futebol. "But I have a contract with Southampton, and I'm just focused on my work, to make a great season."

Fonte is set to feature in the Southampton team who face United at Old Trafford on Friday (19 August), and admits to being attracted by the prospect of playing for the Red Devils. "I will not deny that Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and that it makes me happy to be associated with it," the reported United target admitted. "But to be Manchester United's player is a big difference."

United have already signed defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal this summer, but the 22-year-old is set to miss a chunk of the campaign because of his anticipated involvement in the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. Bailly has earned back-to-back man of the match awards against Leicester City and Bournemouth, and Mourinho is delighted with his new signing.

"When you buy someone like him there is always a question mark on the way he adapts," the United boss said after their 3-1 win on the south coast, according to the Daily Mail. "Playing in Spain is very different to playing in England, playing to finish fourth or fifth is also different to trying to win it, but he is showing big personality and it's incredible."