Man Utd step up Dayot Upamecano transfer interest with RB Leipzig defender eyed after Crystal Palace horror show
MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly upped their interest in RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano after being humbled by Crystal Palace.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils got their campaign off to the worst possible start after a horror show at home saw them go down 3-1 to The Eagles.
And reports United have an interest in Upamecano, 21, but will need to offload some players before launching a move.
United have seven centre-backs on their books, including outcast Chris Smalling who SunSport exclusively revealed is wanted by Inter Milan on a season-long loan.
Captain Harry Maguire's regular partner in the heart of defence is Swede Victor Lindelof but after he was partially at fault for all three of Palace's goals, the hunt for a long-term replacement is on.
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French ace Upamecano impressed in the latter stages of last season's Champions League, winning man of the match in Leipzig's quarter-final win over Atletico Madrid.
But United may want to force their hand in this window to partner him with their £85million skipper.
Reports suggest Old Trafford's chief negotiator Matt Judge will look to sign defenders before the October 5 deadline.
Last summer, the club splashed £130m on Maguire and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and had previously been prioritising attacking signings - with Jadon Sancho the No1 target.
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Luke Shaw called on United to bolster the playing ranks after the loss to Roy Hodgson's side.
And the club have been linked with a deal for Brazilian left-back Alex Telles as they look to provide reinforcements for injury-prone Shaw.
The Porto star is though to have agreed personal terms but a deal is stalling with Ed Woodward refusing to pay the £18m fee.
Contrasting reports suggest United could still stick with their existing centre-back partnership despite the nightmare start to their campaign.