Jose Mourinho wants Juventus’ Blaise Matuidi to replace Manchester United stalwart Michael Carrick

Manchester United have emerged as favourites to sign France international midfielder Blaise Matuidi, according to the Daily Star.

The Premier League side, who came back from 2-0 down against Crystal Palace on Monday night, to win 3-2 at Selhurst Park thanks to Nemanja Matic’s injury-time winner, have been linked with luring the Juventus star to Old Trafford this summer.

The 30-year-old, who has 62 international caps for his country, has scored two goals and provided two assists in 34 appearances in all competitions for the defending Serie A champions so far this season.

Matuidi, who joined the Italian giants from Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain back in August 2017 for an initial fee of €20m, though the deal could reach €30.5m depending on add-ons, is contracted in Turin until June 2020.

France’s Blaise Matuidi during a press conference.

However, after less than a year at Juve, the Frenchman has already been linked with another transfer this forthcoming window, with Premier League club Manchester United backed to sign the central midfielder.

With veteran Michael Carrick, 36, retiring at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, The Red Devils have been tipped to bring in Matuidi to replace the England international, with manager Jose Mourinho understood to be preparing a summer shake-up involving players coming in and out at The Theatre of Dreams ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Matuidi is valued at £27m, by transfermarkt.