Every time there's speculation over who Manchester United should sell this summer, you can bet that Matteo Darmian is involved.

Few weeks go by without the United right-back being linked with a move away from Old Trafford and, more often than not, in a switch to Juventus. With just five Premier League starts to his name this season, it looks unlikely that Darmian will be a United player come September.

Nevertheless, Jose Mourinho suggested that the ball was in the Italian's court when asked about his future and that of Daley Blind's earlier this month.

He explained: "When a player wants to go, if that's the case, when the right offers arrive in the club we study that because we always try to have the players happy," he said.

"If happiness means for them to leave let's see what happens. But they are in my plans, I don't want to sell, I want to keep."

Darmian to Juventus close

Fast forward to the end of the season, though, and it seems he's unlikely to stay at Old Trafford whether he's in Mourinho's plans or not.

According to the Daily Mail, talks have taken place between United and Juventus for a £12 million deal with the Old Lady keen to react to the departure of Stefan Lichtsteiner.

Talks are ongoing to secure the deal sooner rather and later.

United could get Mandzukic in return

However, perhaps the most interesting fact in the report was that Juventus had offered United a player in return during negotiations and it wasn't Alex Sandro.

The Red Devils have been linked with Sandro across the summer but it's believed that the Italian champions are keen to hold onto the Brazilian and are lining up a new contract offer.

That being said, in the talks, Juventus asked United whether they would interested in taking on Mario Mandzukic who is believed to want a new challenge this summer.

Manduzkic has spent the last three seasons at Juventus scoring a decent 34 goals considering his competition with Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and originally Alvaro Morata.

Although not a prolific goalscorer, the Croatian has proven himself as a formidable target man across spells with Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

United are lacking an out-and-out number nine beyond Romelu Lukaku, so the deal may interest Mourinho if it's incorporated into the Darmian transfer.

How United responded to the offer in talks is unknown, though.

No matter what they replied, it should have little impact on Darmian's future.

The 28-year-old has shown promise at times but Mourinho limiting him to eight appearances seems the final straw for a player who deserves more. 

Do you think Mandzukic would be a good signing for United? Have your say in the comments section below.