Man United closely monitoring Bundesliga star

Manchester United welcome Greek side PAOK to Old Trafford in the fourth round of Europa League group phase fixtures on Thursday night. 

The Red Devils have drawn their first three matches – against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce – and therefore sit 23rd in the 36-team league table.

With Erik ten Hag having been sacked since their last European outing in Istanbul, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge against PAOK on Thursday, before Ruben Amorim succeeds him after the upcoming international break.

Off the pitch, reports suggest that United are monitoring a Bundesliga star as they hunt for a new midfielder.

According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, those in charge of the Red Devi’s recruitment have identified Leon Goretzka as a potential target.

Plettenberg claims that United are monitoring the Bayern Munich star as they search for a new central midfielder in January, however Goretzka himself is said to have no plans to leave Bavaria midway through the season.

Goretzka has emerged as a target for Manchester United

Goretzka, 29, joined Bayern from in 2018 after leaving fellow German side Schalke, and he has since played more than 225 times for the Bundesliga giants.

He has scored 41 goals and provided 46 assists in that time, as well as winning no fewer than 11 trophies including five league titles and the Champions League.

The Germany international appears to have fallen out of favour this term, though, failing to start a single Bundesliga match since Vincent Company took charge of Bayern over the summer.

He is contracted to the club until the end of the 2025/26 season, meaning he will soon enter into the final 18 months of his current deal.

Plettenberg also claims that United are on the hunt for a new striker this winter, as well as a central midfielder.