Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Closing in on Highly Rated Austrian Defender

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Dynamo Kiev's Aleksandar Dragovic as Louis van Gaal looks to strengthen his backline this month.

The Austria international has been very impressive for both club and country this season, and this has resulted in him attracting the attention of a number of clubs.

However, according to ESPN, Manchester United, who are looking to sign a new defender this month, have reportedly gone a step further than the rest of the clubs by sending scouts to keep an eye on the 23-year-old.

Although United boss Louis van Gaal has been linked to a host of defenders including Mats Hummels Diego Godin, Miranda and Raphael Varane, it is believed that Dragovic is on the top of his priority list for January.

This is because, Dragovic, apart from being very impressive in the Ukrainian Premier League and the Europa League this season, would probably be a little cheaper as compared to the Red Devils other targets.

The Austrian, who joined Dynamo Kiev from FC Basel for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2013, is also believed to be keen on making a move to England.

However, United will be getting some competition from their Premier League rivals for Dragovic's signature as the likes of West Ham and Arsenal have also been linked to the defender.

Although Kiev are reluctant to sell their star defender in January, it is believed that the Ukrainian side are aware that they will not be able to hold on to Dragovic if big clubs start making offers.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Denis Irwin is confident that the Red Devils will be able to end their 11-year FA Cup drought if they manage to get past Cambridge United on Friday.

Although United are expected to easily beat League Two side Cambridge United, Irwin feels that the Red Devils need to be a little wary especially after they were thoroughly tested by third-tier Yeovil Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

However, the 49-year-old, who won the FA Cup three times during his time at Old Trafford, is confident that United will go all the way if they manage to emerge victorious in this round.

"I don't see why not [United can win the FA Cup]," Irwin told the club's official website. "We saw from the Yeovil game how tricky away matches against lower-league opposition can be, but we'll have learned lessons from that.

"So if we can get through on Friday, all of a sudden we're into the fifth round and we'll be starting to fancy it."