Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alvaro Morata, Ander Herrera

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has called it "a shame" the club were unable to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Meanwhile, the club are set to hand Ander Herrera a lucrative new contract to fend off Barcelona's interest.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with Morata before signing Romelu Lukaku from Everton in a £75 million deal, and Mourinho elaborated on why a deal couldn't be done this summer, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

"What I said today is what I say today. Clubs put price tags on players, not the one who wants to buy. He belongs to Madrid. Madrid has decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It is a shame.

"He is a player who made it to the first-team with me. We have a special liking for him, he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution in Juventus and Madrid. It is like that. I don’t think he can end with us."

Mourinho's comments reiterate just how fond the Portuguese coach is of the player, but with Romelu Lukaku replacing now-departed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, there's very little chance of a move materialising in 2017.

Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol recently disclosed just how much Los Merengues are seeking in order to sell their fringe figure, citing a fee that just about trumped Lukaku's recent £75 million transfer cost:

Mourinho handed Morata his first-team debut at Real in 2010 before promoting the youngster's development during his stay in Madrid, but a reunion now looks to be off the table.

Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday reported Herrera "will sign" a new four-year contract worth £200,000 per week plus add-ons, equal to a little more than £41 million over the course of the deal.

The Spain international's current contract is scheduled to expire next summer, but agreeing new terms would put an end to Barca's interest for now, not to mention the fact Herrera holds a leader role as vice-captain at Old Trafford.

Earlier in July, Bleacher Report's Samuel Rooke commented on the playmaker's social media activity as evidence to suggest he remains fully committed to the Red Devils:

Herrera has also come out to deny any links with the Blaugrana, who are now being led by his former Athletic Bilbao manager, Ernesto Valverde. FourFourTwo provided quotes from Herrera, who said: "There is nothing certain about Barcelona because I am very happy at United and I feel valued and focused here."

United are currently on a pre-season tour of the United States and defeated LA Galaxy 5-2 on Saturday evening, a result in which football writer Tom McDermott picked Herrera out for particular praise:

Herrera arrived at Old Trafford from Bilbao in 2014 and enjoyed the best season of his United career to date under Mourinho last term, convincing the club to make him one of their highest earners, it seems.

Barcelona are seeking the successor to Andres Iniesta and have been closely linked with Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti, per MailOnline's Rory Callaghan, but Herrera may no longer be considered an alternative target.