Mourinho wants to raid Man Utd for Spurs-linked ‘whizkid’

Joe Williams
Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho is annoyed at his players

Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho wants to bring Red Devils youngster Charlie Wellens to Roma, according to reports.

Wellens has featured 14 times for United’s under-23 side this season but his chances of first-team football are limited at Old Trafford.

Mourinho brought the youngster into first-team training during his time at Man Utd, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did the same ahead of their Europa League opener against Astana in September 2019.


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And now The Sun claim Mourinho, who is currently manager of Serie A side Roma, is ‘taking on old club Tottenham’ for ‘whizkid’ Wellens.

It is understood that the former Chelsea boss is ‘keen to bring Wellens to Roma after taking a shine to him during his spell at Old Trafford’.

Mourinho ‘wanted to take him to Spurs’ during his tenure in north London and Tottenham have retained their interest in the 19-year-old.

And now Tottenham and Roma ‘could battle it out in the January transfer window or the summer’ for Wellens who ‘may have a better chance of progress’ away from Man Utd.

Meanwhile, Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick has suggested scrapping the Carabao Cup to ease fixture congestion in English football.

The domestic schedule is coming under huge pressure, with the impact of the Omicron variant of coronavirus sweeping through dressing rooms and forcing postponements throughout the country.

Rangnick said: “It is a big tradition in England to play on Boxing Day or the 27th, even on the 30th or the 2nd of January. I think we should stick to and respect this tradition, but there might be two other issues that have been discussed in the past.

“England is the only country in the top five leagues in Europe that plays two cup competitions.

“In France they abolished the second one a year or two ago, so we are the only country who plays two cup competitions.

“This is something we could once again speak about and discuss.

“I know the League Cup is still kept for the third and fourth division teams to improve the financial situations of those clubs. But if we speak about a tight calendar and having to play too many games, this is something to discuss.”