Jose Mourinho has told Marcos Rojo that he wants the Argentina defender to remain at Old Trafford in the January window.
Rojo was made available for transfer in the summer as Mourinho sought to strengthen Manchester United’s defensive options but rejected a series of approaches, including a lucrative offer from Shanghai SIPG.
The 26-year-old is again wanted in China ahead of the 2017 Super League campaign. Rojo has also been targeted by Bayer Leverkusen for a mid-season move to the Bundesliga.
Mourinho, however, has been impressed by the manner in which the Argentine has responded to his coaching methods and physical preparation, with Rojo delivering the strongest performances of his Premier League career during a run of six consecutive starts in the middle of United’s defence.
(Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: Eamonn and James Clarke)
(Photo: Manchester United/Getty Images)
“I think (Phil) Jones and Rojo are playing amazingly well,” said Mourinho last week.
While United have prepared funds to invest in a new centre back in the winter window, with discussions already opened over Benfica’s pricing of Sweden international Victor Lindelof, Mourinho is conscious that he will lose first-choice defender Eric Bailly to Africa Cup of Nations duty in January, and of Luke Shaw’s struggles at left back, where Rojo can also operate.
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