Valencia are showing an interest in taking young Dutch defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Manchester United, according to Super Deporte.

What's the story, then?

The report claims that the La Liga outfit want to seal a deal for the man who spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace by next Friday.

Another United youngster, Andreas Pereira, spent last season out on loan at the Mestalla Stadium and the Spanish side are clearly keen to reuse that avenue to snare the man who reportedly earns £25,000 a week at Old Trafford.

The report says that Valencia have been foiled in their attempts to land top right-back target Hans Hateboer from Atlanta and have now turned their attention to the Dutchman.

Developing Fosu-Mensah would allow Mourinho to make a defensive cull

Jose Mourinho's mistrust of young players is well-known but Fosu-Mensah has the physical attributes and versatility that should impress the tough Portugese task master.

United still have five central defenders on their books; Mourinho signings Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, Louis van Gaal capture Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, remnants of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Jones and Smalling still have a mistake in them and have reached their ceiling; it is clear now that they will never be good or consistent enough for a side of United's ambitions.

Keeping Fosu-Mensah as cover for Bailly, Lindelof and Rojo, as well as someone who can deputise at right-back and in midfield would allow Mourinho to cash in on the overrated Englishmen and refresh a defence that has been mediocre for far too long.

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