Jose Mourinho watches Belgium beat Iceland as he casts an eye over potential January transfer targets

  • Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho took his seat for Belgium against Iceland
  • Neither Marouane Fellaini nor Romelu Lukaku were in the Red Devils squad
  • Mourinho is thought to be targeting at least one defender in the next window 

Jose Mourinho was in Brussels on Thursday night on a scouting mission as he watched Belgium beat Iceland.

Roberto Martinez's side were comfortable 2-0 winners at the King Baudouin Stadium, but did so without either of their Manchester United stars.

A calf injury for Romelu Lukaku handed a rare opportunity for Michy Batshuayi to start for the Red Devils, while Marouane Fellaini was not in the squad either. 

Jose Mourinho was in the crowd to watch Belgium beat Iceland in Brussels on Thursday night

Jose Mourinho was in the crowd to watch Belgium beat Iceland in Brussels on Thursday night

Niether of Manchester United's two Belgian stars were on show as he took in the action

Niether of Manchester United's two Belgian stars were on show as he took in the action

That left Mourinho to cast an eye over potential signgings on the field, with Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld taking his place in the Belgian's backline. 


Mourinho, who tried for a surreptitious look in Brussels, has made it clear since the beginning of the season that he is desperate for defensive reinforcements. 

And Alderweireld has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with United thought to have tabled bids for the 29-year-old in the summer. 

Stand-in striker Batshuayi made the most of his chance up top by grabbing the two goals that gave the hosts victory. 

United target Toby Alderweireld was part of the Red Devils' defensive line that held firm 

United target Toby Alderweireld was part of the Red Devils' defensive line that held firm 

While a defender is on the agenda, there are already question marks over one of the latest recruits at Old Trafford. 

Fred was signed for £52million in the summer but was left on the bench for the Manchester derby defeat to City. 

Former United defender Gary Neville has already questioned how the Brazilian fits in at Old Trafford.  

'Fred at £60 million, he started the first game of the season and he looked bright, he looked tidy - but does he look like what you would expect for £60 million?', he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

'Does he change a game? Does it look like he's going to defend your goal? Does it look like he's going to connect back-to-front? At this moment in time, no.'

Lukaku missed out with a calf injury and there was no Fellaini for the victory over Iceland

Lukaku missed out with a calf injury and there was no Fellaini for the victory over Iceland

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