Jose Mourinho is facing the prospect of having to take his third-choice midfield target – Nemanja Matic – in what is already proving to be a frustrating summer for the Manchester United manager.

Telegraph Sport understands that Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier and Roma’s Radja Nainggolan were Mourinho’s first and second choice pick in midfield, but United have made little progress on either man.

United are more confident over Matic, who has so far refused to sign a new Chelsea contract and is set to face increased competition at Stamford Bridge with the anticipated arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Chelsea would rather not sell Matic, but will have to listen to an offer in the region of £40million for a player whose contract expires in two years and turns 29 on August 1.

Although they would prefer not to provide a solution for a rival, Chelsea stand to make a £5m profit on the signing of 22-year-old Bakayoko for £35m and the departure of Matic.