Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho personally intervened to block Morgan Schneiderlin from joining Tottenham yesterday.

The Sun says Spurs were confident of adding the Frenchman to their squad after he fell behind Paul Pogba and rejuvenated Marouane Fellaini in the pecking order.

But Mourinho told Schneiderlin, 26, he would feature this season as part of his Old Trafford revolution.

United need squad cover for the two domestic cups and Europa League which could explain their boss' reluctance to let players go.

But Spurs are likely to make another approach in January if Schneiderlin's playing time does not increase.