Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Lucas Moura and Top Rumours

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura after he admitted he isn't content with his current role as a squad player in the French capital.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Mark Brus of Metro), the Brazilian stated that while he is enjoying life with les Parisiens, he yearns for a starting berth. He said:

"

There is always competition with the big players, but that allows the team to improve and win.

The coach should select eleven players to play, and I respect the decision and wait for my chance.

I’m happy to be at a great club with great players, but can not say so happy because I do not play. It would be wrong to be content with being a backup.

"

The 23-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions for PSG this season but has featured for just 1,036 minutes—a disappointing average of fewer than 58 minutes per showing. In the Champions League, his average time on the pitch is just 17.5 minutes.

As Brus notes, United boss Louis van Gaal is seeking to strengthen his attacking options and "is still said to be keen" on landing Moura, perhaps even more so given his current predicament.

Moura has accrued four goals and an assist in all competitions this season, and as football writer Andrew Gibney opines, he has not been at his best in this campaign:

Nevertheless, Moura has impressed during his time in France with his impressive pace and tricky dribbling, per WhoScored.com:

United have failed to sparkle up front this season save only for Anthony Martial, so a quick and creative talent such as Moura could be the answer to their struggles.

However, the reason Moura isn't getting a consistent run in PSG's team is his inability to produce incisive contributions on a consistent basis—there's a hint of former United winger Nani in Moura, so the club would be wise to approach him with caution.

Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

The Red Devils are seemingly examining all options, with Portuguese outlet A Bola (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) reporting the club have scouted SC Braga winger Rafa Silva "for months" including their recent Europa League win over Liberec in which the 22-year-old "put in a man-of-the-match showing."

Silva has four goals and five assists to his name in all competitions this season—well on his way to surpassing last season's tallies of five and six, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sandro Inguscio of Swiss newspaper Blick (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) notes United have also scouted Basel "wonderkid" Breel Embolo.

Armando Franca/Associated Press

The 18-year-old striker has emerged as a hot prospect, having racked up an impressive 17 goals and 13 assists last year, which he has thus far followed up with eight and five in this campaign.

United have had success this season after gambling on the relatively untested Martial in the summer and will no doubt be hoping to do the same with Silva or Embolo. Both are showing promising form and could be ready to step up to a higher quality league some time in the near future.

Ideally, the Red Devils should be targeting a proven talent who can reignite their attacking play, but with experienced options potentially limited in January, they're being wise in scouting extensively before making any moves.