Mourinho tells Man United board to beat Man City to Spanish star

Joe Williams

Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco so that Manchester City are unable to purchase the Spaniard, according to reports.

Spanish publication Don Balon claims both the Red Devils and the Citizens want to sign Isco with the player’s future up in the air at the Bernabeu.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a long time with Zinedine Zidane regularly preferring different options in his starting line-up.

With his situation at Madrid unlikely to change with Zidane at the helm, despite his popularity with the club’s fans, Isco could be made to look for regular football elsewhere.

The report suggests that Pep Guardiola wants to add Isco to David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in an incredible midfield armoury at City.

However, with City thought to be leading the race for the 25-year-old, Don Balon claims Mourinho has told the club’s hierarachy to sign Isco if they are given the chance.

With City 16 points clear of United in the league – ahead of Man Utd’s trip to Newcastle on Sunday – the Old Trafford board, who reportedly fear Isco moving to City, are expected to provide Mourinho the funds in the summer to close the gap on their closest rivals.