Manchester United may retain a small hope of closing the twelve point gap between themselves and fierce rivals Manchester City in the league this season, but with City suffering just a single defeat all year, such an inevitability appears unlikely.
However with FA Cup and Champions League glory still on the horizon, fans here in The Transfer Tavern are desperate to see their side strengthen this month, and it appears they may be rewarded. The well documented pursuit of Alexis Sanchez is coming to a close, but reports suggest Mourinho has been quietly working on another deal behind the scenes that has largely passed by unnoticed by the Sanchez obsessed media. Our landlord even caught a few United fans off guard with this one over a quiet afternoon pint, with reports suggesting that Mourinho is keen to add free agent Lassana Diarra to his squad this month.
The 32-year-old is without a club having been released by Abu Dhabi side Al Jazira, and a return to European football appears increasingly likely this month. The former Arsenal, Portsmouth and Real Madrid man has enjoyed a glittering career since making his debut for Le Havre back in 2004, and it perhaps one of the most underrated players of his generation. Mourinho is still of the belief that the French international can cut it at the highest level, and Diarra would be a solid addition to the squad at Old Trafford.
Nemanja Matic has often lacked a partner in the holding role in midfield, and Diarra is exactly the type of player to fill that void. Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini have been largely inconsistent this season, and Diarra would provide excellent competition in the middle of the park, and the fact that he is eligible for every competition both domestically and in Europe is a real bonus. Not many would have seen this one coming, but Diarra could actually prove to be one of the better pieces of business Mourinho has conducted in his career should a move go through.
United fans, let us know what you make of this one!
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