Mourinho sets strict deadline for Paul Pogba to join Man Utd or deal will be off - reports

Starsport revealed that the Portuguese will go for Paris St-Germain's Blaise Matuidi if Pogba to United drags on too long.

Pogba is keen to move back to Old Trafford and agreed personal terms three weeks ago but it is agent Mino Raiola's fee which is holding things up.

Juventus think United should pay all of his £20m fee for facilitating the move to Manchester.

Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodward was reluctant to meet those demands but he is thought to have caved in and the deal has taken big steps forward over the last few hours.

However, Mourinho has become so frustrated with the lengthy delay he is making backup plans should it not be done by August 7, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Matuidi has been targeted as the United boss harbours fears Real Madrid could still swoop in and steal Pogba from under their nose.

Unai Emery has admitted Matuidi could leave PSG this summer if he wants regular first-team football.

He said: "He is a very good player. We have a lot of left-footed defensive midfielders.

"If he has the opportunity to leave and if he thinks there are too many midfielders here… But I do not want him to go."