That’s the view of transfer expert Gabriele Marcotti who thinks Jose Mourinho changed targets after growing frustrated with Tottenham.

Matic completed a £40m switch from Chelsea to United yesterday and will wear the No. 31 shirt at Old Trafford.

Marcotti said on ESPN FC: “He has a point but again, look people say all sorts of things but I think the other target or alternative in that role for Manchester United was Eric Dier.

“Obviously negotiating with Tottenham was tough. Tottenham did not want to let him go.

“Obviously everybody has a price.

“I think they took a long, hard run at Dier but then they saw they weren’t getting anywhere with Spurs and they opted for Nemanja Matic at what they think is at a reasonable price.”

Matic is United’s third summer signing following the arrivals of Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku.

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours, gossip and every done deal

But the Red Devils are still looking to add more quality with Ivan Perisic likely to be the next man through the door with negotiations ongoing with Inter Milan.

Manchester United tried hard to sign Eric Dier from Tottenham

Mourinho wants to ensure he has strength in depth ahead of a return to the Champions League.

United start their domestic campaign against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 13.