OUTCAST Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be used as a makeweight in a deal for a Mourinho midfield target, Woodward won’t sanction fullback deal and United’s January wants revealed!

All that and more in a Manchester United edition of Rumour Mill!

MOURINHO EXIT RUMOURS

Concern is mounting inside Old Trafford surrounding the future of manager Mourinho. The Daily Mail suggest that the Special One is cutting a dejected figure in Manchester, and has been spending less and less time in the city, with his home in London, as his side slip further and futher behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

Additionally, the report suggests staff believe that the Portugese manager has withdrawn further into his inner sanctum and could quit the job at the end of the season.

Just last week Mourinho criticized United’s board about their willingness to spend transfer funds and question marks have been raised about his happiness in the Old Trafford hot seat. He also missed the mark in taking aim at a club legend, Paul Scholes.

Could the Special One kick-start another managerial merry go round in 2018?

MKHI SWAP DEAL

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has yet again been linked with an escape from his Old Trafford nightmare, with Corriere dello Sport reporting that the Armenian could arrive at Inter Milan with Joao Mario heading in the opposite direction.

Mario joined Inter for £35m (AU$60m) last summer, while Mkhitaryan was a £37m (AU$63m) signing for Jose Mourinho. Their similar price tags, and the struggles of both to settle at their respective new homes could see the clubs look at a straight swap deal for the pair.

The deal seems to make sense, with Mourinho reportedly eager to replace the exiled Mkhitaryan in the United midfield.

INTER ALSO KEEN ON MATA?

Juan Mata’s time at United could come to an end sooner rather than later due to an interesting clause in the midfielder’s contract.

AS report that the Mancunian club only have until May to activate a clause which allows them to renew the Spaniard’s deal until 2019.

A failure to do so could see the 29-year-old depart for free in the summer.

Mata is also being linked with a move to Inter Milan, reports The Mirror.

MOURINHO’S JAN PLANS

It’s no secret that Mourinho isn’t happy with his Manchester United squad.

And the Portuguese manager will reportedly do something about it in January, planning no less than three signings to bolster his side, according to MailOnline.

Mourinho is allegedly after two fullbacks, one for each side of his back four, as well as an attacking midfielder as he attempts to reinvigorate the Old Trafford playing staff.

MOURINHO’S ROSE FRUSTRATION

The Special One is after a pair of fullbacks, and he wants one of them to be Spurs outcast Danny Rose.

However, United chief Ed Woodward doesn’t exactly see eye to eye with the Portuguese manager, telling Mourinho that in order to sign the Spurs man he’ll have to part with other members of his first team squad.

The Daily Mirror suggest that Rose could be available for around £50m (AU$86m).

DARMIAN A WANTED MAN

He may not be Mourinho’s favourite player, but it appears Matteo Darmian still has some admirers back in his homeland.

The Italian’s agent has suggested that the fullback has attracted significant interest from the Serie A, where he used to play for Torino, although it is unclear whether the Red Devils are happy to sell the 28-year-old.

Darmian has made just two Premier League starts this season and has been linked with a move to Roma.