Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Gaya Linked, Felipe Anderson Rumours Grow

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a big move for Valencia left-back Jose Luis Gaya in the January transfer window in order to cover the loss of Luke Shaw after the Englishman's horror injury.

Shaw broke his leg in two places during United's 2-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday and the Red Devils will now have to rely on Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo as back-up, neither of whom are natural left-backs.

The Old Trafford outfit are thus set on pursuing 20-year-old Gaya and are prepared to meet the Spaniard's £36 million release clause, which was inserted into his contract when he signed a new five-year deal with Los Che in May, per Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t David Wright in the Express).

Gaya has terrific pace and a good final ball, while he is also solid in defence.

Despite his relative youth, he played 35 of Valencia's 38 La Liga games last season, providing six assists from the left flank and scoring one goal, per WhoScored.com.

United would most certainly benefit from bringing Gaya in to cover Shaw, but problems could arise when the former Southampton man returns to full fitness.

After a frustrating debut season at Old Trafford in 2014-15 following his big-money move from Saints, Shaw had begun the new campaign in scintillating form before his injury, per football writer Henry Winter:

He looks to be making good on his potential that saw him previously earmarked as United and England's left-back for the next decade.

But United manager Louis van Gaal could upset the balance of his side if he adds Gaya, as he and Shaw would both undoubtedly want to play every game when fit.

Equally, spending more than £30 million on another young left-back could be deemed unnecessary considering United do have decent cover for Shaw.

However, if Van Gaal feels it is necessary, Gaya would certainly be a fine addition to the United squad.

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Meanwhile, United have been linked with Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson again after going after him in the summer before being rebuffed by the Serie A club's president, Claudio Lotito.

Per Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Sport Witness), the 22-year-old Brazilian was a high-priority signing for Van Gaal and two "informal offers" of €40 million (£29 million) were made in the summer. 

While no move materialised for Anderson, rumours have begun to grow again about his potential departure from Lazio after his sister and agent, Juliana Gomes, complained of his lack of game time early in the new season, per the Express' Adam Skinner.

The chances of United going back in for Anderson again now rely on how well he performs for Lazio, but it is arguably more important that the Red Devils spend money on adding depth to their strike or centre-back departments than adding another creative midfielder.