Manchester United are ready to make a move for a new right-back in January, 90min understands.
United were in the market for a full-back and a defensive central midfielder over the summer, but outlays for Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo meant they did not push through a move.
Kieran Trippier was the player United wanted to bolster the right hand side of their defence, but despite the England man expressing his desire to move to Old Trafford, Atletico Madrid refused to budge on their valuation and demanded that his release clause, worth in excess of £30m, be paid.
Current incumbent Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had an indifferent start to the season, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains keen for additional options to come in and challenge the 23-year-old rather than just replace him - ideally the Norwegian wants two capable players in every position.
United’s scouts have now been instructed to look at options other than Trippier, should they decide to push ahead and sign a right-back in the winter window.
Rangers captain James Tavernier was a player considered by United in the summer, but while he remains a possibility, it's another member of Steven Gerrard’s title winning side that is now of interest - teenage sensation Nathan Patterson.
Everton have been keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, who has already earned three senior international for Scotland, and United are also keen. Patterson is, however, not just being courted by the Toffees and Red Devils - 90min understands more than a dozen teams across Europe have shown an interest.
Another player on United's radar is Norwich City’s Max Aarons, who neighbourhood rivals Manchester City have been following closing for a long time. United's scouting team already put a dossier together on him, which reads very positively for the England Under-21 international.
Ethan Laird's progress on loan at Swansea is also being closely monitored, but although United are happy with the progress he is making, they do not believe he is ready to push Wan-Bissaka at this moment in time.
Source : 90min