Southampton skipper Jose Fonte has slapped in a transfer request.
The defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and has told Saints chiefs he wants to cut short his stay at St Mary's, where he still has 18 months left on his deal.
Southampton's director of football Les Reed told BBC Radio Solent: "He's had several opportunities to improve the contract situation. He's reserved his right not to do that.
"He's made it very clear he would like to explore the opportunities for a transfer.
"That's where we are at the moment, Jose wants to leave the club. He's formally asked for a transfer."
It is believed that no offer has been made for the 33-year-old centre-back, who has made almost 300 appearances for the club.
Fonte who was part of the victorious Portuguese team in the 2016 Euros finals claimed last month that he had not been offered fresh terms at St Mary's, but Reed denied the claims.
He added: "What was offered to Jose was, in my view, quite significant off the back of the contract he signed in October 2015.
"Six months later we were prepared to improve that contract and extend it. He has turned down the opportunity to increase his salary, and he's turned down the opportunity to get another permanent year on his contract."
Red devils boss, Jose Mourinho is in the market for a defender, since Eric Bailly has joined his National team - the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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