Man United could move for Portuguese defender

Manchester United face Premier League rivals Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. 

United have been busy so far during the transfer window, signing both Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, the latter of whom made his first appearance during a win over Scottish side Rangers last time out.

Manager Erik ten Hag, fresh from signing a new contract with the club, will hope to see his side improve on last season’s eighth-placed Premier League finish during the upcoming campaign.

In the meantime, United’s search for defensive reinforcements could lead them to sign a Portugal international.

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo via The Express, the Manchester club are considering a move for Benfica’s Antonio Silva as a cheaper alternative to their top defensive targets.

The Red Devils are on the hunt for another new centre-back following the signing of Yoro, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs De Ligt among their top targets.

Silva has emerged as a possible transfer target for Manchester United

The pair would both prove expensive, though, and the report claims that those in charge of United’s recruitment are therefore considering other options.

Silva, 20, has an £84 million release clause in his current contract, but it is claimed that Benfica have acknowledged that the clause is unlikely to be activated and are therefore willing to accept an offer in the region of £42 million.

The young central defender is a product of the Portuguese side’s youth academy, and has played 94 times for the club at senior level across all competitions.

He impressed for Benfica last term, playing 50 times, and his performances have attracted interest from those in charge at Old Trafford.

United’s search for a centre-back comes following the departure of Frenchman Raphael Varane earlier this summer.