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Report: Mourinho wants Ibrahimovic, Willian at Manchester United; players want move

Andrew Couldridge / Reuters

Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to bring two of his former pupils to Manchester United.

Fresh off confirmation that he's United's new manager on Friday, Mourinho wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Willian to join him at Old Trafford, according to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian. Not only that, but both players apparently hope the moves materialise.

Related: Manchester United appoints Mourinho as manager

After reports emerged in France suggesting Ibrahimovic has been offered a yearlong contract by United with the option of another year, De Telegraaf said the Swede will wear the Red Devils shirt next season. BBC Sport then reported the club could make the striker the first signing under Mourinho, and Ibrahimovic confirmed Thursday he received an offer from a Premier League club, saying: "I just have to push the button."

In other words, there's good reason to believe that Mourinho and Ibrahimovic, who spent a year together at Internazionale, could reunite.

Regarding Willian, Jackson's report is supported by Mourinho's sale of Juan Mata to United in January 2014. The transaction opened up space in Chelsea's midfield, allowing the Brazilian attacking midfielder to secure a spot in the Blues' starting XI.

Related: 5 players who could follow Mourinho to Manchester United

Mark Worrall of ESPN elaborates on what a potential transfer involving Willian could look like, and explains why Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich likely won't sanction it unless Mata's involved:

Clearly, Conte would be foolish to strengthen Mourinho's hand and weaken his own by approving the sale of Willian to United in a straight cash deal. Indeed, it's hard to see Abramovich sanctioning such a move given the giddy examples of Luiz, De Bruyne and Lukaku - players lost to Chelsea at Mourinho's behest who now would be part of the core of the first team were they still at the Bridge.

Mata, plus £35 or £40m for Willian, would be a far more enticing proposition for Abramovich and Conte to consider as the funds could readily be used to strengthen the squad in other positions. With Chelsea holding the ace card in any future negotiation with United, it will be interesting to see if it is Mata the magician or Willian the workhorse who proves their value the most, should a deal materialise.

United is reportedly looking to spend at least £150 million ahead of the next Premier League season. While Ibrahimovic would arrive on a free transfer given his exit at Paris Saint-Germain, Willian is apparently valued at £60 million.

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