REPORT: Jose Mourinho to axe eight Manchester United stars to fund Paul Pogba deal

It has been heavily reported that Manchester United will soon tie up a £103 million deal for France midfielder Paul Pogba.

Massive signing-on bonuses, £20m for Pogba's agent Mino Raiola and an annual salary of £11m all add up to put United in the driving seat to secure his services. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also hoping to lure Pogba from Juventus but both have baulked at the asking price. United have already splashed out on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic [signing bonus plus £12m annual salary] so they may have to shift players on to help fund the Pogba deal. Some sell-on fees may be low but it will clear up significant amounts on the wage bill. The Sun are claiming that Mourinho has identified eight players from the senior squad to cut loose. They are in agreement with The Express that Juan Mata is top of that list. A United source, it is claimed, told The Sun:

"Jose has made it clear he wants to work with 22 key players. It means up to eight players heading out."

Here are the players said to be in danger: Daley Blind Mourinho's comments on utility players do not bode well for the versatile Dutchman. Marcos Rojo Seems far too erratic for Mourinho. Memphis It would be strange for Mourinho to sell the winger without giving him a proper look. Juan Mata Sold him once as Chelsea boss. Linked with Everton... and Juventus. Adnan Januzaj Louis van Gaal did not rate him. Needs to prove himself before the summer transfer window closes. Morgan Schneiderlin Mourinho would surely relish making Schneiderlin his defensive screen but his future is not yet certain. Bastian Schweinsteiger Would love to stay on but his new boss may have other ideas. No.8? The newspaper has not named the eighth player but it couldn't possibly be Wayne Rooney, could it?