Old Trafford side chase Stoke City defender.
Man United boss Louis van Gaal has set his sights on Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross as he seeks to strengthen his leaky defence according to the Daily Star.
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The Old Trafford boss has informed chief executive that he needs to bring in two defenders, a centre-back and a right-back, and believes that former Man United man Shawcross is an ideal cost effective option to pursue.
The 27 year old left Man United six years ago and has matured into one of the most solid performers in the Premier League and are ready to offer £12m for the England international.
Shawcross has racked up 295 appearances for Stoke City and is the captain at the Britannia Stadium outfit and would surely demand a guarantee of regular first team action before considering a move back to Man United.
Van Gaal has had to throw youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair in at the deep end, with mixed results, this season with Phil Jones suffering with injury concerns and Jonny Evans lurching from one disastrous display to the next.
The chance to return to Man United would surely tempt Shawcross not least as a high profile move would certainly aid his push to add to his single solitary national team cap.