Jose Mourinho is ready to keep Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini at Manchester United – and hand Daley Blind a chance to prove himself.

Sportsmail understands the Portuguese is keen to give the fringe trio a pre-season opportunity to impress, in a move that may come as a surprise to many.

When Mourinho was Chelsea manager he sanctioned playmaker Mata's move to Old Trafford in 2014.

Juan Mata (left) and Daley Blind will be given a chance to fight for their Manchester United future in pre-season

Marouane Fellaini (right, on Euro 2016 duty for Belgium) has been granted the same fate by Jose Mourinho

The Red Devils manager is keen to give the fringe trio a pre-season opportunity to impress

At the time he thought the offer - £37.1million – was too good to turn down.

Mourinho favoured Oscar, believing that the Brazilian could carry out defensive duties more effectively while remaining an attacking threat – something he thought the Spaniard may struggle with.

And while Mata may not be the multi-functional footballer Mourinho treasures, he is expected to remain at the club - for the time being at least.

The news will delight Mata, who sought assurances about his future after Mourinho's appointment.

He has settled well in Manchester and has immersed himself in the city. In May he was at the opening of a tapas restaurant in which both he and his father hold a stake.

While Mourinho believes he can bring out the best in the attacking midfielder, the lack of a suitable club for Mata to move to is also a factor.

The 28–year-old received a hefty salary increase when he moved to Old Trafford and potential suitors in his homeland, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, currently have a wealth of options in the No 10 position.

Mata was sold to United in 2014 from Chelsea by Mourinho but the latter is willing to give him a second chance

Instead, Mata is likely to remain at United, albeit in a rotational role rather than as a first-team regular.

Fellaini, an unorthodox yet functional presence, is not a crowd favourite, with many of the club's faithful questioning whether he is 'a Manchester United player' since his £27.5m transfer from Everton in 2013.

However, those hoping that Mourinho's arrival would pave the way for the 28-year-old Belgian's departure are set to be disappointed.

The new manager believes Fellaini's aggression adds a key element to his squad and is happy to keep him at United.

Fellaini's aggression appeals to Mourinho, despite fans questioning whether he is 'a Manchester United player'

Mourinho is keen on bringing defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic to United, but whether Chelsea would allow a reunion to take place is unclear, with new manager Antonio Conte wanting to assess his squad.

Meanwhile, the versatile Daley Blind is expected to be given an opportunity to show Mourinho why his predecessor, Louis van Gaal, paid £16m for his services in 2014.

Reports that Blind was available were said to have interested Arsenal, however Sportsmail understands that Mourinho is happy to give the Dutchman a chance.

Blind, despite standing at 5ft 9in, played the majority of last season at centre back but can fulfil a number of positions and could be deployed elsewhere by the new manager.