David Moyes will make a summer move for FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, after United scouts watched the player for a third team on Sunday evening.
Moyes is chasing the highly rated youngster to replace the departing Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford next season.
Mangala has a £35 million buy out clause to his name but United manager Moyes has been promised unlimited funds to rebuild the fading champions, and with players hinting at departures from Old Trafford in the summer.
Mangala signed for Porto from Standard Liege in 2011, for a £6 million fee, and has become one of Europe’s highly rated youngsters, aged just 23.
Moyes will also quite a large hole in the defensive structure of the squad, with Nemanja Vidic leaving the club, Patrice Evra is likely to leave to either AS Monaco or P.S.G, and Rio Ferdinand is all set to retire.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1