Manchester United are looking to recruit an entire new defensive line as part of plans to overhaul their squad in the summer. Jose Mourinho believes the club’s progress on domestic and European fronts has been limited by the quality of its defenders and is considering upgrades. The addition of “decisive” individuals in each of these positions — Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti and Juventus left-back Alex Sandro are among the players already approached — would allow Mourinho to deploy more aggressive tactics against stronger opposition.

Mourinho has fielded 32-year-olds as first-choice full-backs on both flanks this season, consistently favouring converted wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young over a pair of failed Louis van Gaal signings, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw. None of United’s centre-backs has started