Jose Mourinho Hopes To Keep Rooney,Ibra And Reopens The Door For Luke Shaw

Jose Mourinho has given transfer updates on three of his Manchester United players, telling reporters that he wants to keep forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney, while confirming that Luke Shaw will make a return to the matchday squad for the visit of Bournemouth tomorrow.

      Jose Mourinho eager to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney as he hands Luke Shaw recall

Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a fine maiden campaign in English football, scoring 26 goals in 38 appearances and helping to win United the EFL Cup last weekend, to confound the critics who suggested the 35-year-old would struggle to adapt to the intensity of the English game.

The Swede signed a one-year contract when he joined from PSG in the summer, but with the option to extend his spell at Old Trafford by another year. And in his pre-match press conference, Mourinho confirmed the club would be looking to trigger that option.

“I see him staying with us, because the initial agreement was to come for us for one year, plus us to have the option for a second," Mourinho told reporters at United's Carrington training ground.

“So I see him staying with us after an amazing, successful first season. I think Zlatan will be fundamental in the second year of this team.

“My feeling is that he is really proud of himself, very proud of his success and his situation, so yes, I see him staying with us.”

Mourinho has said that Luke Shaw will feature against Bournemouth in the club's Premier League match at Old Trafford tomorrow, to pour cold water on rumours that the 21-year-old full-back is agitating for a move away from the club.

Mourinho has started the English full-back just once in the Premier League after publicly criticising him for his role in United's shock 3-1 away defeat to Watford in September.

     Shaw has struggled for regular first-team football (Getty)

Shaw has since been restricted to just six cup appearances under Mourinho, with speculation increasing in recent weeks that the defender could be sold in the summer transfer window.

But Mourinho has claimed in his pre-match press conference that Shaw has impressed in training for United and will be selected for tomorrow's match.

“Luke Shaw is selected for tomorrow, so you won’t need to have the guys at the Lowry taking pictures of the players, to see which ones are on the list,” he commented.

There was also an update on club captain Wayne Rooney, who Mourinho said will also be named in Saturday's squad.

However, although Mourinho described rumours of a return to Everton as "making little sense", he admitted he could not guarantee United's record goal-scorer would still be at the club next season.

“He is selected for tomorrow with possibilities to play – to start or to be on the bench. Until the end of the season, 100 per cent he is with us," Mourinho said.

"Next season, I would like him to be with us, but he is always a player who is always very important, but I cannot say [100 per cent he will be at United].

“So, since the moment he decided to stay and help the team and to fight for the team, he is an important player for us, and I think by giving you these two little – or big tales - I’m telling you all the talk about Everton makes no sense.”