United Resist Pobga Bids

Manchester United are ready to resist bids for Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial while continuing their search for a new centre-back, sources have told ESPN FC.

Manager Jose Mourinho would like two new signings before the Premier League deadline on Thursday but has agreed with the board that the focus should be on acquiring a central defender, with Jerome Boateng, Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld targeted.

Sources said that Barcelona and Juventus are circling Pogba, having learned he has become unsettled at Old Trafford.

Pogba, fresh off the back of his World Cup triumph with France, is disappointed with some of the criticism aimed at him by Mourinho during the tour of the United States.

Martial, meanwhile, has made it clear he would like to be sold, but executive vice chairman Ed Woodward is reluctant to sell him.

Mourinho is willing to let Martial leave because he does not want an unhappy player in his dressing room.

In defence, Leicester City have refused to entertain bids for Maguire, but Tottenham Hotpsur and Bayern Munich are willing to negotiate over Alderweireld and Boateng, respectively.

However, sources insist reports that a deal with Tottenham for Alderweireld is close are not true.

United also looked at Kalidou Koulibaly before the Senegal international signed a new five-year deal with Napoli.

Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli and Freiburg’s Caglar Soyuncu are also considered options.

United have until 5 p.m. BST on Thursday to register new players. They start their Premier League season against Leicester on Friday at Old Trafford.

Sources said that while United want to keep Martial and Pogba, they are willing to listen to offers for Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo.