Claudio Ranieri’s bid for a Premier League loan signing has been hit by Manchester United wanting Tim Fosu-Mensah to stay at Fulham.
Ranieri has made Gary Cahill his No1 target for January but has a maximum of two loans from top-flight clubs.
Fosu-Mensah would be allowed to return to Old Trafford, with Calum Chambers a regular under Ranieri and previous boss Slavisa Jokanovic.
But United want the Dutchman, 21, to fight for his place at Craven Cottage instead of being part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
According to a United source, the club want Fosu-Mensah to learn how to fight his way back into contention at Fulham.
They see his situation under Ranieri, where he has not started a game since November, as part of his learning process in senior football.