Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho targets David Alaba and Virgil van Dijk as he seeks defensive reinforcements in January
Portuguese wants defensive upgrades as he doesn't trust current crop
JOSE MOURINHO wants to splash out big on defensive signings in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The Manchester United boss doesn't trust his current crop of defenders to get the club to the top four and wants to upgrade at least two positions.
Mourinho has made Bayern Munich's David Alaba and Southampton stopper Virgil van Dijk his top priorities, report the .
Alaba, who can play left-back or in midfield, is also wanted by Manchester City and Arsenal and could cost £40million to bring to Old Trafford.
Austrian Alaba, 24, was watched twice by United scouts during the international break - but Bayern Munich will not want to sell the versatile star.
Van Dijk is another player Mourinho has identified as a target.
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The Dutchman, 25, has been excellent for the Saints since joining from Celtic last year, but could cost another £30m to buy.
Bayer Leverkusen's Aleksandar Dragovic is another potential target - the Austrian is valued at £20m.
The United manager spent £150m in the summer on Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mourinho was tasked with returning United to the Champions League next season - the club currently sit sixth in the Premier League, six points away from fourth-placed Arsenal.
The United boss is hoping for similar backing from transfer mogul Ed Woodward that he got in the summer.
Bailly, a centre-back, started the season very well but isn't expected back before the end of the year because of a knee injury.
Mourinho has engaged in a public row with Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw, over their fitness and desire to play, while Daley Blind has lost form and has started on the bench in the last two games.
Marcos Rojo has started the last five but isn't completely trusted by the United boss.