Southampton manager Claude Puel has suggested that Manchester United are behind the "strange" rumours linking his captain Jose Fonte to Old Trafford.
United manager Jose Mourinho made it clear that he wanted four signings in the summer window and after clinching the world-record capture of Paul Pogba, it appeared as though his spending was done.
However, it recently emerged that the Red Devils are considering a move for the Portuguese Euro 2016 winner, and the player himself is rumoured to have told friends that he wants to sign for United.
When asked in today's press conference about the speculation, Puel questioned the timing considering that his Saints go head to head with United on Friday night.
"It is just a rumour," Puel told reporters. "It is just strange to see this rumour just before the game against United. It is a possibility it comes from United, it is strange. There is no problem with Jose. He is a very good professional.
"It is important to have him with us and we will see for Manchester if he can keep his place or not. Jose, the same as [Maya] Yoshida or [Virgil] van Dijk, made good training sessions and it is interesting for the team to have good players for this position.
"Jose is our captain and there is no problem with him."
Fonte joined Southampton from Crystal Palace in 2010.
Danielle Joynson
