Report: Blackett, Varela on verge of Manchester United exit

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Young defenders Tyler Blackett and Guillermo Varela are reportedly close to being sold by Manchester United, after incoming boss Jose Mourinho labeled the duo surplus to requirements ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.

Neither Blackett, 22, who had a spell on loan with Celtic last season, nor Varela, 23, who made just seven appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils last season, have partaken in United's preseason first-team training. Their absences have prompted speculation that the defensive duo are on their way out, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Despite the eminent exits of Blackett and Varela, Mourinho is compelled by the idea of promoting promising youngsters.

Mourinho has pegged Dutch full-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah, and central defender Axel Tuanzebe as potential first-team regulars, with both teenagers playing a part in preseason festivities.

Fosu-Mensah, 18, featured in ten matches for United last season in all competitions and is understood to be Mourinho's right-back of the future, further making Varela's role with the club obsolete.

Like Fosu-Mensah, Rochdale-reared Tuanzebe has been pegged as a star of the future. Yet to make his first-team debut, Tuanzebe captained the Under-18 side as a first-year scholar and is considered a leader despite his age.