Former Liverpool defender, Mark Lawrenson, isn’t convinced by the latest rumours linking Mesut Ozil with a move to Manchester United.

Full-time ray of sunshine, Lawrenson, claims that Ozil doesn’t fit Jose Mourinho’s ‘blueprint’ at United and therefore he doesn’t see the Portuguese coach being genuinely interested in the playmaker.

“I don’t think Mourinho would take him,” Lawrenson said. “I’m pretty certain he wouldn’t take Ozil. He wouldn’t fit into the Mourinho blueprint of a player.”

Mourinho rates Ozil highly and worked with him for three years at Real Madrid. However, with the Red Devils gelling reasonably well already this season, would he really bring the 29-year-old to Old Trafford? Especially with Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the team?

ozil mourinho
Real Madrid’s new German player Mesut Ozil (R) and coach Jose Mourinho attend a training session at the Real Madrid Sports City in Madrid on August 19, 2010. (DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images)

The reports claim Jose’s keen and that Ozil is open to the move since he’s not yet signed a new deal with Arsenal. The German’s contract runs out at the end of the season, leaving him free to sign for the Gunners’ rivals if he wants.

Barcelona have also been linked but he’s already expressed his design to remain in the Premier League.

Is Lawrenson right? Obviously, Ozil fitted Jose’s blueprint before, so what’s changed? I believe that the former Liverpool man is referring to the midfielder’s apparent lack of effort on the pitch. The playmaker has been accused of being lazy ever since his move from Spain to north London.

Pundits and fans have also referenced how Jose only likes fighters so he wouldn’t be interested in Ozil.

I’m not sure any of that is strictly true though.