Manchester United have reportedly targeted Tottenham Hotspur full-back Ryan Sessegnon after the opening of the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag has suffered defensive injuries throughout the season, and that has been compounded by the fact that Sergio Reguilon has been recalled by Spurs this week.
Sessegnon himself has struggled with injury problems, and only made his first appearance of the season in Friday's FA Cup win over Burnley.
The 23-year-old came on as a 83rd-minute substitute in that third round tie, but seems unlikely to break into Ange Postecoglou's side, given the emergence of Destiny Udogie this season.
United have allowed Donny van de Beek to leave on loan for Eintracht Frankfurt, but they are keen to tie down Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial to new deals, after tying down Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri to fresh contracts.
Given their heavy summer spending though, United are set to be restricted in what they can spend during January, so loan moves may be the only route in which they can bring players in.
Out of all of United's early January business, the most notable is the fact that Reguilon has returned to Spurs early from his loan spell, given the lack of options they currently have at the back.
That leaves Ten Hag short on options in that position, given the injury issues suffered by Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez.
Diogo Dalot has often been preferred in that role ahead of Reguilon, but it leaves a gap in the United squad going forward.
The return of Wan-Bissaka has helped Ten Hag in order to play Dalot as a left-back, but behind those two, United do not have any senior squad members experienced of playing in full-back.
Therefore, The Independent claims that Sessegnon is a target for Man United, given their lack of options in wide defensive areas going forward.
Sessegnon featured often under Antonio Conte, battling for a place alongside Ivan Perisic last season, but injuries have plagued his career in North London.
In all competitions, the left wing-back played just 23 times last season, and his game time at Spurs now appears under threat, given the form of Udogie. body check tags ::