Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho fears they face a losing battle prising Kalidou Koulibaly away from Napoli.

The Daily Mail says Mourinho also fears he will miss out on top target Koulibaly in January.

Koulibaly has been Mourinho's preferred defensive option since June but United chiefs vetoed a move for the Napoli centre half last summer.

The United boss is understood to be pessimistic about the prospect of signing the Senegal international, whose value is rocketing towards £90million.

His doubts over which defender vice-chairman exec Ed Woodward might sanction bids for next month - if anyone at all - come amid anxieties at the make-up of United's scouting division.