Manchester United close in on first key signing of summer

Manchester United  are close to appointing new coach Stefano Rapetti following the departure of Rui Faria. Sampdoria coach Stefano Rapetti is currently in England finalising details of his contract with United, according to sources close to the Italian. MEN Sport reports that there are still things to do with the transfer, it's not a done deal. Rapetti worked alongside Mourinho in his final season at Inter in 2010 and it is understood that the United boss wants to make fairly safe appointments who are already familiar with his methods or have previously worked at the club like Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna have. The 46-year-old has only coached in Italy but has experience operating under a number of top-class coaches, including Rafael Benitez and Claudio Ranieri. One of his former players told MEN Sport that he is a 'great guy' as well as a 'great professional'. "I expect an immediate impact from him at United," a source close to the coach told MEN Sport. "He worked with Jose in Inter and they had a huge success there so I think it will not take long before the results come." Like Mourinho, Rapetti has a physical education degree - from the University of Florence no less - and likes to work with the ball in training.