MANCHESTER UNITED are exploring ways to improve their leaky defence and have drawn up a four-man shortlist ahead of the January transfer window.
The Red Devils have conceded 18 goals in 11 games this season, keeping just three clean sheets.
GettyErik ten Hag is keen to make defensive reinforcements[/caption]
Erik ten Hag’s squad has been decimated by injury, particularly in defence.
United have not been able to field a natural left-back in the past three games with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguillon all on the treatment table.
Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also been injured for several weeks; Raphael Varane has missed games, and Lisandro Martinez is not expected to be fit until the new year due to a metatarsal injury.
Ten Hag has been forced to call on back-up options Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, but that could change if United manage to land one of their four January targets.
Goncalo Inacio
United first registered an interest in the Sporting Lisbon star in the summer of 2022, with Newcastle also said to be keen.
Inacio, 22, is under contract until 2026 and he has a big buyout clause worth £50million.
SunSport understands a United scout has been sent to Lisbon and told to closely monitor the Portuguese international over the next couple of months ahead of launching a bid in the January transfer window.
Inacio came through the Sporting academy and has made 129 appearances for the Portuguese outfit.
GettyGoncalo Inacio is the latest name to be added to the Red Devils shortlist[/caption]
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Antonio Silva
Silva has been scouted by the Red Devils since last year, when he first broke into Benfica’s first team at just 18 years old.
He has gone from strength to strength and also attracted attention from PSG, which has inflated his transfer value.
Silva, 19, is under contract until 2027 and Benfica are unlikely to let him leave for less than £87m.
ReutersAntonio Silva has a hefty asking price[/caption]
Jean-Clair Todibo
United tried to sign the French centre-back, who has helped Nice remain unbeaten in Ligue Un this season, in the summer.
Todibo, 23, revealed he carefully considered his options but was fearful joining United would prove to be a mistake as it could disrupt his form ahead of the Euros.
Tottenham also like the look of the defender but were put off by his £34m asking price in the summer.
ReutersTodibo has impressed this season for Nice[/caption]
Edmond Tapsoba
The centre-back has impressed for Bundesliga table toppers Bayer Leverkusen.
His athleticism would be well suited to the Premier League and Tapsoba said he was flattered by the interest from the UK.
Leverkusen set his asking price at £61m but he is now in the final year of his contract so could be available for a cut-price deal in January.
Edmond Tapsoba was of interest to United in the summerGetty Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
