Jose Mourinho wants to sign a new left-back and right-back over the next two transfer windows as the Manchester United manager prepares for an overhaul of the full-back positions.

Mourinho is unhappy with his options at full-back and is keen to address United’s shortcomings there next year.

Left-back has been a particular headache for Mourinho since he took charge at Old Trafford in May last year, despite having an array of players who can play in the position.

Mourinho’s misgivings over Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have led to the Portuguese making Ashley Young, a 32-year-old winger by trade, his first choice left-back. Marcos Rojo, who has just returned from a seven-month absence with a ruptured cruciate, can also operate in the position but Mourinho has preferred to use the Argentina defender at centre-half.

Mourinho has been highly critical of Shaw, who has been a peripheral figure under the former Chelsea manager, and questioned the England defender’s commitment, focus, ambition and football brain.

Darmian, a right-back primarily, and Blind have also struggled to win Mourinho’s trust and it is understood the United manager - whose side face Watford at Vicarage Road tomorrow night - is willing to listen to offers for all three players, even if it is likely he will have to offload them in stages.