Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus, Benedikt Howedes, Miranda

Louis van Gaal's transfer attentions are once again gleaning toward the German top flight as Manchester United continue their attempt to add a renewed sense of optimism at Old Trafford.

The latest speculation suggests Bundesliga stars Marco Reus and Benedikt Howedes are on his radar.

Atletico Madrid centre-back Joao Miranda also remains linked with a switch to the English giants, with United looking to revive their interest in the Brazilian defender's services in 2015.

Marco Reus 

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Try as Borussia Dortmund might, the Black and Yellows have been unable to escape the transfer rumours that continue to swarm talisman Reus, allegedly leading Jurgen Klopp to look into potential replacements.

According to the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata, the Dortmund chief is eyeing up Milan maestro Stephan El Shaarawy as a Reus alternative, should his star attacker choose to head for the Signal Iduna Park exit next year.

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United have long been tipped as one of the giants who would look to sign Reus if he were to leave Dortmund, which has been viewed as a more likely outcome in light of the club's recent domestic disappointments.

The club currently sit just two points from the bottom of the Bundesliga standings, but CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke was quoted by Stern magazine (via Goal.com) stating that Reus wishes to remain in his current setting:

Having grown up at the club before departing for Borussia Monchengladbach, the 25-year-old would undoubtedly love to thrive in a Dortmund jersey, but the pursuit of titles is also a strong factor in any player's career path.

United have been through their share of disappointment over the last two years, but they may feel a new era of competition beckons under Van Gaal, and a move for Reus would assuredly help in that regard.

Benedikt Howedes

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Perhaps a bigger concern for the Red Devils at present comes in defence, however, where Schalke stalwart Howedes is said to have arisen as a new target.

The Miners defender was a part of the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup and recently teased the idea of leaving Gelsenkirchen, per German outlet Bild (h/t Manchester Evening News' Simon Bajkowski): "At Schalke I'm fine, but maybe at some point I might feel tempted for something new. This is not to say that I will go in January or next summer."

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Unfortunately for Van Gaal, defence has been the area in which most of United's injuries this season have been concentrated, with Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Rafael and Luke Shaw all seeing time on the sideline.

Howedes proved in Brazil that he's capable of playing in a full-back capacity, too, albeit with the tactics around him to make up for any shortcomings he'd have as a less conventional player in that role.

Schalke's prospects have dipped slightly in recent months, but Howedes has always displayed a consistency in their back line and may understandably seek a higher level of competition.

Joao Miranda

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Alternatively, United could look to La Liga for their defensive additions as Miranda has once again risen in Van Gaal's list of desires, it seems.

Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t Tyrone Webb-McGarthland of Squawka) reports that Atletico are open to the idea of cashing in on their star centre-back, who would be available for a fee of £25 million.

Rising star Gimenez was impressive for Los Rojiblancos in earning a 0-0 stalemate at Juventus in the Champions League, as noted by David Cartlidge of beIN Sports:

Cartlidge goes on to note that Miranda may leave the club in 2015, and Diego Simeone may feel more comfortable doing so with a player like Gimenez coming through the ranks:

At 30 years of age, Miranda doesn't present the most valuable option in terms of long-term candidacy at the core of United's defence, but the club is arguably in need of guaranteed results in that position.

La Liga champion Miranda would come close to assuring the club of that, with the Red Devils still requiring a central presence who offers the same security Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic did for so many years.