If José is to be true to his word, and I hope that he is, regarding playing or giving the youth here a chance, then having Mensah as back up, or a rotational choice in our first team would be great to see.

Not sure if that would have much of an impact to be honest, we'd have sent him on loan regardless. My guess is that we don't really want to sell but if we get a big enough offer then we'll accept and go for a replacement. We'd definitely need to have someone lined up before we could sell though, might be that guy from Monaco we were linked to.

ESPN reckon that we've 'made contact' with Fonte, about a move.

Arsenal are also reported to be keen, but he supposedly favours a move to United.

Is he really at the level we need?

He would be a more reliable option than Jones, and a better one than Rojo, so in that respect, yes he would be of benefit to us.

Although I do think he would be behind, Bailly, Smalling and maybe even Blind.

The report mentions that Rojo could be used as a 'makeweight'.

I'm sure that Fonte would be 'of benefit to us', but that isn't what I asked. If he was behind the three players that you mentioned, then it would suggest that no, he isn't at the level that we need.

I think if we're looking for someone who's experienced, knows the Premier League, won't cost the earth and might not necessarily expect to play every single game then we'd struggle to find better.

No guarantee of that being the case, though. I think that he'd be better off going to Arsenal, myself.

Oh if he wants first team football, then going to Arsenal would be a no brainer really, as they have been crying out for a decent defender for a good few years now.

If we can use Rojo as part of the deal, then that would be fine by me, and would help Southampton out.

We have three very good centre-backs as it is cur, so anyone who comes in, unless they are world class, will have to be considered as a rotational option, one would imagine.

I was already made up with our signings so far, but the fact that Jose seems to be in the mix for a back-up centre gives me even more hope for the future. I always feel there should be top-class cover for every position on the pitch and that's one area where we don't have it. Bailly looks composed and speedy but is still settling in, we have got enormous value out of Blind but he has height and speed issues, Smalling was stand-out last season but would he make the top five of centre-halves since the SAF era? While Rojo and Jones simply aren't reliable, for different reasons.

Get it done Jose. You're the man.

Barbosa's agent has sort of played down any imminent move to United. 'Merely speculation' is how he's described things.

Meanwhile, if any of you don't read F365, this is worth 5 minutes of your time: http://www.football365.com/news/port...n-eric-cantona

we are meant to be putting a bid in for this fonte guy after the game friday with jones going to sunderland either on loan or for 15million.

Not sure how it affects the integrity of the league though if he goes on loan!

It would certainly be 'a bit of a farce'.

I'd be surprised if we didn't lose Rojo or Jones if Fonte comes in.

Neither getting in over Blind doesn't bode well imo.

So does that mean they have given up on him if they are willing to sell for £15m?

id guess any club has given up on any player once they decide to sell them

And if they loan him? Do you reckon his time is up anyway?

Personally id say yes but i dont work for the club so no idea in their thinking.

Not necessarily, in my opinion.

The key to Jones is having him play in the majority of games, over a whole season. If Mourinho has decided that it wouldn't happen at United, regardless of fitness, then it makes sense for him to go elsewhere and prove that he can perform for a prolonged period of time. If he does that to a high standard, then there may still be a place for him at the club.

As things stand, he can't be relied upon, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him deemed surplus to requirements.

Great link. Love the line "Off you go Cantona, it's an early shower for you" You know, I'm glad social media didn't exist when Cantona was at United. Can you imagine the WUMming that would have gone on when he did the Bruce Lee impression?

A nice read, but I have to say that the author is wrong in his assessment of "foreign" players prior to Cantona. Yes, the sentiments were exactly as he describes when Ardiles and Villa came to Spurs, but they soon got it as such, as did Thijssen and Murhen. They were the trail blazers, not Eric. I know for a fact that Murhen altered some of the training at United, to bring it as up to date as was possible when he arrived, much like Eric did.

Sad as it is, I think it is time to cut our losses with Jones, he had so much potential to be a very good defender, but his injuries have just halted him in his tracks.

I would much rather see him sold then sent out on loan, as it would just be delaying the inevitable really.

Yes, I don't really see how he could come back from a loan and go straight back into our defence, which in his absence will have (presumably) got a working partnership.

A loan would rally just be a case of putting him in the shop window.

I agree with you, for me we are weakest in two areas, back up centre-back, and defensive midfield, getting Fonte solves one of these, whilst I was a bit disappointed that we didn't go in for Kante to solve that other area.

Hopefully not having cover for DM, will not come back to haunt us in the long-term.

Smalling and Blind had a 'working relationship', but that didn't stop Mourinho buying Bailly, and supposedly looking for another centre-half.

If Jones has a belting season for Sunderland, and Mourinho's not convinced by our defensive showings this season, then I could see a way back, however unlikely.


Southampton have said that Fonte's going nowhere, and Puel has suggested that Mourinho's leaked our supposed interest, in order to unsettle him for Friday's game.

Wouldn't put it past him.