Red Devils are desperate to add more quality to the centre of the park at Old Trafford in the new year.
Premier League champions Manchester United face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign coveted Benfica midfield player Nemanja Matic when the winter transfer window opens again for business at the turn of the year, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
Read more Manchester United fc news
Top 10 Manchester United players.
The Serbia international has been in eye-catching form ever since he moved to the Portuguese capital from Premier League side Chelsea as part of the same 25 million euros deal that also took defender David Luiz to Stamford Bridge in January 2011.
Matic, who was barely used by the Blues during his two-year spell in the capital, making a total of just two league appearances, has in stark contrast been a shining light from the centre of the park at the Dragao, hitting the back of the net on five occasions in his 53 league outings for Benfica.
And as a result, it is now understood that new Red Devils head coach David Moyes is keen to lure the 25-year-old to Old Trafford in the new year as the under-pressure Scot looks to add more creativity, invention and goals to his so far stagnant midfield.
However, one stumbling block to a successful deal taking place for Matic is the 45m euro buyout clause in the Serb’s Benfica contract that runs until June 2018.
Who are the top ten Australian cricketers of all time? Find out here in this great piece from fanatix!
Who are the top ten Indian Batsmen of all time? Find out here in this great piece from fanatix!
Find out the top ten Ashes moments from England and Australia’s cricket rivalry here in this great piece from fanatix!