Mourinho favourite to leave Manchester United after playing last game this week

Charlie Wellens is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, with the club deciding against offering the midfielder a new contract.

The versatile player was seen as an exciting academy prospect during Jose Mourinho’s time at the club. In 2021, it was reported that the Portuguese took a ‘shine’ to him when he was at the helm at Old Trafford and also included Wellens in first-team training for experience.

It was understood Mourinho wanted the player at Tottenham Hotspur during his time in north London, and his current club AS Roma were also linked with United’s academy talent.

Charlie Wellens played his last game for Manchester United this week

But Wellens never managed to make a first-team appearance at United. The closest he came was when Ralf Rangnick included him in the Champions League squad in December 2021.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Wellens played his last game for United against Blackpool’s development squad on Tuesday. He was forced off the pitch with an injury before the break. The U21s could only manage a 1-1 draw in their final game of the season.

Mourinho signed former United midfielder Nemanja Matic on a free transfer last summer, but he’s unlikely to make a move for Wellens now.

While the Red Devils are not offering the 20-year-old another contract, they are close to extending David de Gea’s stay in Manchester. On Tuesday, it was claimed that the 32-year-old has agreed to a new contract with a lower basic salary and incentives for matches played and performances in competitions. Currently, the Spaniard is the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper.

The Premier League giants recently rewarded Alejandro Garnacho with a new deal and are also in talks with Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot over new terms.