United weighing up a move to bring Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross back to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have turned to a surprising name in their chase for a solid central defender in the January transfer window, with the Daily Star reporting that former Old Trafford youngster and current Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross is the latest man to come under consideration from the United hierarchy.
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Shawcross was sold by former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson when he was just a youngster, joining Stoke City when they were a Championship side and helping them into the top flight under Tony Pulis, where Shawcross has established himself as perhaps the Potters’ key player and one of the most consistent centre backs in the Premier League.
Despite controversy surrounding a challenge on Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey that left the Gunners star with a serious injury, Shawcross is generally respected as a solid, consistent and honest Premier League performer who United could perhaps secure for a reasonable fee, with United have negotiated a buy-back fee in the deal that originally took Shawcross to the Britannia Stadium.
With United having reportedly been quoted £12m for Aston Villa centre back Ron Vlaar and Mats Hummels proving difficult to prise away from Borussia Dortmund, Shawcross could represent a bargain solution – whilst he is also at any where he can continue to improve under the tutelage of van Gaal and perhaps establish himself as a permanent fixture in the United defence.