Manchester United Transfer News: Van Gaal Plotting January Move for Porto Defender

Manchester United are reportedly considering a £10million offer for Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi as Louis van Gaal looks to reinforce his backline in January.

Following the summer departures of defence trio Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to Juventus, Inter Milan and Queens Park Rangers respectively, United have struggled at the back, due to a combination of inexperience and injuries.

Although van Gaal has been trying to find the right combination at the back, he has been unlucky with injuries, with several players being frequently sidelined.

The Red Devils are currently facing a defensive injury crisis as Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are all on the treatment table.

With van Gaal keen to bring in a new defender in January, United have been linked to a number of names, including Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao, Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar and Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels.

And now, according to the Daily Express, van Gaal is reportedly eying a £10 million move for Porto's Martins Indi.

Although Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar is thought to be the former Bayern Munich boss' number one target in January, the manager is reportedly keeping Martins Indi as a backup target, in case they fail to land the fellow Dutchman.

Like Vlaar, Martins Indi will also be able to easily adapt to life at Old Trafford as he is well aware of van Gaal's style of play and football philosophy, having worked under the manager in the Dutch national team at the 2014 World Cup.

The 22-year-old is capable of playing in the centre-back as well as the left-back positions.

"Spiritually I still have contact with van Gaal," the former Feyenoord defender had said after the World Cup. "I think about him and I think he also thinks about me."

However, Porto are unlikely to let Martins Indi leave on the cheap in January as he completed a £6million switch from Feyenoord only this summer.

Still, as United have already proved that they are capable of spending big bucks, Martins Indi's price tag should not be a problem for them.