Welcome To Old Trafford? United In Advance Discussion For CB Signing Ahead Of January Window

According to a report from the Daily Star, Manchester United are considering a January swoop for Paulo Oliveira and have sent scouts to watch the player ahead of a potential January transfer.

The Sporting Lisbon defender has been in brilliant form for the Portuguese side this season, and United boss Louis van Gaal sent scouts to watch Oliveira play during Sporting’s 2-1 win over Rio Ave earlier this month, as per the aforementioned source.

The 23-year old played the full 90 minutes and the Red Devils are considering whether to press ahead with a £6m bid for Oliveira’s services in the new year. He joined Sporting from Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2014 for £1.2m, as claimed by the Daily Star, and he made 40 appearances in all competitions in his maiden season, scoring three goals.

Van Gaal is pondering his defensive options after failing to sign a defender in the summer, with moves for Sergio Ramos, Matts Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi all failing to materialise.

The Dutch boss has been fielding Daley Blind in central defence alongside Chris Smalling, while Phil Jones was out for over a month with mild thrombosis. Marcos Rojo has also been struggling with a hamstring injury, leaving teenager Paddy McNair as the only remaining back-up in the team.

United tackle Wolfsburg in their second group stage game of the Champions League this season and will be looking to come out victorious after falling to defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the first match.