Nemanja Matic returned to Chelsea from Benfica in January 2014

Jose Mourinho says Nemanja Matic wants "very much" to leave Chelsea and join Manchester United.

Sky sources understand the United hierarchy have agreed a £40m fee for Matic, who made 40 appearances in all competitions last season, and hope to complete a deal in the coming days.

The 28-year-old Serbia international defensive midfielder would be United's third summer signing following the arrivals of defender Victor Lindelof and striker Romelu Lukaku.

Mourinho was asked about Matic after United's 3-0 pre-season win against Valerenga in Oslo on Sunday.

"I'm waiting for news," said the Manchester United manager. "I know that he wants that very, very much and when a player wants very, very much the chance is bigger.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho looks set for a reunion with Matic

"So I think we have a chance but in football until it's official, I have seen so many things happen that I refuse to say more than I am telling you now."

There have been pictures on social media showing Matic wearing a Manchester United shirt with the number 31.

But Mourinho again refused to give anything away, saying: "I don't know because I was not there. Number 31 is a free number. It was [Bastian] Schweinsteiger. It's a free jersey, we have a few free and 31 is one of them."