Jose Mourinho is planning to offload Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the summer as part of a major shake-up of Manchester United's defence, according to The Mirror newspaper.
The United boss is looking to bring in a new centre-half reports The Mirror, with their article reporting Smalling, is set to leave and Jones could be following him out of the door.
Failed to impress
The pair have failed to impress throughout the season for United, with Smalling particularly coming in for criticism following the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Sunday.
The 28-year-old was booked for a dive and the resulting free-kick led to Matt Ritchie's goal which consigned United to defeat.
Jones produced an underwhelming display in United's 2-0 loss to Tottenham at Wembley earlier this month. He netted an own goal for Tottenham's second, with Mourinho's description of the finish as 'an amazing goal Harry Kane would love to score' being far from supportive.
While Mourinho has decided his defence needs strengthening, United actually have the best goals-against record in the Premier League this season.
They have only conceded 19 times - runaway leaders Manchester City have let in 20.
And that is despite Man United first-choice central defender Eric Bailly being out injured since November.
Spend big on defenders
The decision reportedly came after the 1-0 defeat against Newcastle where neither player performed well.
Smalling's dive in the second half gave the hosts the free kick which led to Newcastle's goal and has led to further questions about his Old Trafford future.
United's rivals, Liverpool and City, have both spent huge amounts of cash on centre-backs in the last transfer window and Mourinho has reportedly told United chiefs they need to be spending big on defenders too.
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is one player United are being linked with, as well as Leicester and England defender Harry Maguire.
After some disappointing defensive displays, Mourinho will be hoping Eric Bailly will be back in contention for the Champions League away game against Sevilla next week.
United have been without the Ivory Coast international for the last three months as he recovers from ankle surgery.
And reports from ESPN FC say the 23-year-old is facing a battle to prove his fitness ahead of the clash despite returning to training last month.
Mourinho's keen to have him back in the squad but the trip to the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan could come a week too soon.
