UNITED SET FOR RACE TO GET NEW FACES

UNITED face a race against time to avoid a deadline day dash next week.

Ed Woodward was relatively quick out of the blocks in getting deals for Fred , Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant done but landing a quality centre-back was always going to prove tricky.

United have been put off by Spurs and Leicester’s asking price for Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire respectively, and could yet turn to a cut-price alternative if they cannot find a breakthrough.

Yerry Mina is the latest name who has been tipped for a move to Old Trafford but M.E.N. Sport understands he was not under consideration earlier this summer.

Following a difficult start to his Barcelona career, the Catalan giants are hoping to capitalise on Mina’s goalscoring performances at the World Cup for Colombia to get him off their books following the signing of Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet.

After just six games at the Nou Camp, Mina’s prospects do not look great and he will struggle for game time in La Liga this season with Barcelona only able to name three non-EU players in their squad; Barca have already signed Malcom and Arthur this summer and are close to capturing Arturo Vidal.

Although Jose Mourinho would also like to sign a forward, the priority remains getting a centre-back and the United boss remains ‘confident’ he will get his man.