Old Trafford side target West Ham, Aston Villa and Stoke City defenders.
Man United boss Louis van Gaal appears keen to strengthen his leaky defence in January and has earmarked three Premier League centre-backs who could help in this regard.
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The Daily Mail believes that the Old Trafford manager has his sights set on two players who well into the final year of their respective contracts and a third option being a former Man United player.
West Ham are looking to enter talks with New Zealand international Winston Reid for fear he could be lured away from Upton Park, if they fail to persuade the 26 year old to sign a new deal then they will entertain the prospect of selling the player for around £5m when the transfer window re-opens.
Similarly Aston Villa are hoping to persuade Ron Vlaar to extend his Villa Park contract otherwise he too could be on his way ‘on the cheap’ to avoid the prospect of a free transfer exit.
Van Gaal are also keeping tabs on Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross as a potential January capture, the England international being a very consistent performer over the course of the last eight seasons at the Britannia Stadium since his move away from Man United.
Man United opted to allow veterans Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand leave in the summer and have seen Phil Jones sidelined by injury whilst Jonny Evans has struggled to impress when called upon.
Consequently van Gaal has had to throw in youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair in at the deep end.