Manchester United Transfer News: Jerry St Juste Scouted, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly interested in 18-year-old Dutch centre-back Jerry St Juste after seeing him play against PSV Eindhoven for Eredivisie side Heerenveen.

According to MailOnline's Simon Jones, St Juste "caught the eye of United scouts" who were assessing PSV ahead of the Red Devils' Champions League meeting with the Dutch champions, which they lost 2-1 on Tuesday.

The young defender reportedly acquitted himself well in August's 1-1 draw with PSV—so well, in fact, that he is now on the radar of the Old Trafford club.

St Juste debuted for the Heerenveen first team at the beginning of 2015 and has managed to tie down a regular starting spot, playing every minute of their league campaign so far this season, per WhoScored.com.

He is an exciting prospect and has shown great anticipation and pace as well as a penchant for marauding forward from deep to good effect.

United failed to add to their centre-back ranks in the summer despite an apparent need for greater depth.

Although Chris Smalling and an out-of-position Daley Blind have performed well in the centre-back positions early in the campaign, United will be in trouble if either picks up an injury.

Another unproven defender is not what United need, arguably, and they should be buying a proven centre-back to add experience to the back four.

However, Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal has shown recently that he is happy to put his faith in youth—recent 19-year-old purchase Anthony Martial has started his United career remarkably well—and the Dutchman may decide to take a gamble on compatriot St Juste.

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Another defender also reportedly set to be targeted by United in January is West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell.

Following Luke Shaw's horror leg break against PSV—which has seen the Englishman ruled out for six months—Van Gaal is apparently eager to add 25-year-old Cresswell for around £15 million as cover in the new year, per Charlie Wyett in the Sun.

Cresswell would be an adequate back-up for Shaw, as he is a solid defender who is also good going forward, and given how short United are at the back, he may well be worth buying.