United plot Carvalho bid

Manchester United are reportedly plotting a shock bid for Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho.

The Red Devils, who have just managed one point in their first two games against Swansea City and Sunderland in the league so far, have been facing serious defensive issues after the departure of Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan and Rio Ferdinand to Queen Park Rangers this summer. Their other transfer target Thomas Vermaelen also joined Barcelona earlier this month, and according to reports in Tutto Mercato, Louis van Gaal is now hoping to rope in the Portuguese centre back to strengthen the back at Old Trafford. The 37-year-old has previously been a part of the Premier League with Chelsea, where he spent six seasons from 2004, before he joined La Liga side Real Madrid in 2010. He then went to France with the Red and Whites in 2013 and has made 41 appearances so far for the Ligue 1club. Carvalho also has 75 international caps to his name, and should the deal go through, the experienced player could be an ideal fit for the struggling English side.