Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Fabinho and Nemanja Matic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to sign AS Monaco's Fabinho, despite edging closer to a deal for Chelsea defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Mourinho is enamoured with Fabinho's versatility, particularly his ability to play right-back, according to Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent: "Fabinho has also played for Monaco at right-back and Mourinho wants to improve his options in that role too. Last season, Mourinho primarily deployed Antonio Valencia, a specialist winger, at right-back instead."

Fabinho may have to play right-back if he moves to Old Trafford this summer, with the Red Devils inching closer to signing Matic, per Pitt-Brooke: "Matic is set to become United’s next summer signing this week and will arrive at Old Trafford for a fee of roughly £35m. Matic will leave as soon as his replacement, Tiemoue Bakayoko, arrives at Chelsea from Monaco, Fabinho’s current side."

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Acquiring Matic would give Mourinho a dependable presence at the base of midfield and in front of the back four. The Serbia international is a tough tackler who boasts underrated quality in possession, thanks to a wand of a left foot.

While Matic is ostensibly a holding player, Alex Porter of the Manchester Evening News believes the 28-year-old could help improve United going forward: "Matic's signing could indirectly lead to a welcome increase in the United goals scored column by launching attacks after winning the ball in midfield, and allowing others to flourish in a more advanced role."

Mourinho knows all about Matic's quality, having brought him back to Chelsea in 2014. The partnership helped the Blues win the Premier League title a year later.

Rumours have been growing Mourinho will bring his former player to Manchester. Indeed, ESPN FC's Mark Ogden recently reported Matic could join the Red Devils "by the end of the week."

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Despite the buzz, rumours about Matic haven't cooled the talk United remain keen on Fabinho. French source RMC Sport (h/t Metro) has named the Brazilian a priority for United.

Signing Fabinho to play right-back would make some sense for United, despite the player thriving in central midfield for Monaco last season. His energy, raiding runs and quality delivery can be assets from full-back, particularly for Mourinho, a manager who usually affords his right-backs a certain sense of freedom.

It's how things worked for Paulo Ferreira, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta at Chelsea. Fabinho's fellow Brazilian Maicon fulfilled a similar role for Mourinho at Inter Milan.

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Having a player with Fabinho's forward-thinking instincts break from the back would be an asset for Mourinho, who builds his teams to be ruthlessly efficient on the counter.

United's current targets reflect their manager's desire to build a more physical squad in his own image ahead of his second season in charge.