Mourinho signed Mikel when he was Blues manager the first time around as well as working together with him when he was in charge at Stamford Bridge for a second spell in 2013.

However the 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and there are no plans to offer him a new one, with new boss Antonio Conte yet to play him in his new-look Chelsea side.

And, according to The Sun, Mourinho will make a cut-price move for the Nigerian during the January transfer window, rather than wait until the summer and sign him on a free.

It would not be the first time United have signed Mikel – sort of. Sir Alex Ferguson thought he had brought Mikel to Old Trafford when he was 19, with the Red Devils announcing the £4m signing on their website and the Nigeria captain was even pictured in a United shirt.

It transpired United had done the transfer directly with the player and his club, bypassing his agents, but Chelsea angrily claimed they had a deal agreed with his agent.

Mikel reportedly received threatening calls and needed to take refuge in a safe hotel with a security guard before claiming to Sky Sports that he had been pressurised into signing for United and actually wanted to join Chelsea.

The matter was resolved when the Blues agree to pay Lyn Oslo £4m and United a further £12m.

Manchester United transfer targets Show all 6 1 /6 Manchester United transfer targets Manchester United transfer targets Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) The 21-year-old Uruguayan has already played 21 times for his country and has been touted as a future world-class centre-back. Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Gimenez is not a regular and a move in January for first-team football would surely appeal to him. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Victor Lindelof (Benfica) The most recent player to be linked with the Red Devils, Lindelof is a 22-year-old centre-back currently plying his trade at Benfica. The Swedish international has been in fine form this season and could be tempted by a move to England in January. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Mesut Özil (Arsenal) The German midfielder has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Red Devils as the Arsenal playmaker demands a substantial increase to his current £140,000 per week contract in North London. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) The French forward had a brilliant season in Spain last year and was top scorer and Player of the Tournament as he helped his country to the final of Euro 2016. Atletico Madrid would certainly not let him go on the cheap however. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid) The third Atletico Madrid player reported to be on Mourinho’s wish-list, Carrasco is one of Belgium’s new generation of talent and, at just 23 years of age, has a long career ahead of him. The Belgian is an attacking midfielder who has added a ruthlessness in front of goal to his repertoire this season, contributing nine goals in all competitions. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Bruma (Galatasaray) Galatasaray’s fleet-footed winger is rated at around £21.5m and has impressed in the Turkish league this season, receiving five Man of the Match awards in just ten starts so far. Bruma is a fantastic dribbler who would certainly provide competition for places on the left wing. Getty