NFLNBANHLMLBWNBARoland-GarrosSoccer
Featured Video
Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢
Monaco's Brazilian defender Fabinho celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Ligue 1 football match Monaco (ASM) versus Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 28, 2016 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco.   / AFP / VALERY HACHE        (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Monaco's Brazilian defender Fabinho celebrates after scoring a goal during the French Ligue 1 football match Monaco (ASM) versus Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 28, 2016 at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. / AFP / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)VALERY HACHE/Getty Images

Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Fabinho, Top Rumours

James DudkoAug 28, 2016

Manchester United reportedly still want to sign versatile AS Monaco defender Fabinho. The Red Devils may face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, and the player has not dismissed the idea of leaving the French top flight this summer.

French publication L'Equipe (h/t Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News) revealed United's continued interest in the 22-year-old Brazilian:

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports

The South American told the same source (h/t Alice McKeegan of the Manchester Evening News) how his future at Monaco is far from settled: "With the Champions League, it's not bad staying at Monaco. I'm not certain of staying, but at the same time, there's more of a chance of me staying than leaving."

Fabinho may sound open to making a move from Monaco, but any deal with United could depend more on potential exits from the Manchester club. Specifically, the Reds may have to shift a defender or two during the remainder of this transfer window.

That's according to the Daily Record's Duncan Castles, who has named Fabinho and Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte as United targets, but only if two of the club's current defenders can be talked into leaving first.

Manchester United's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) vies with Southampton's Portuguese defender Jose Fonte during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England,

That may be no easy task, since both Phil Jones and Matteo Darmian have reportedly been told to stay, according to Sam Wallace of the Daily Telegraph. Those players fit the centre-back and right-back positions that United manager Jose Mourinho wants to add to, per Castles.

It's a desire that explains the interest in Fabinho. The flexible defender can line up in either full-back berth and even play centrally.

United's current defence has proved strong through a three-game unbeaten start to the new Premier League season. The central partnership of new boy Eric Bailly and Daley Blind is the ideal combination of athletic power and ball-playing grace.

On the edges, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are offering ample pace and energy, both raiding forward and tracking back.

However, it still makes sense for the Red Devils to be considering a few more options. Chris Smalling is working his way toward full fitness, while Jones is a constant injury risk. United also always seem to be on the lookout for more options at full-back.

One player who could make way for any new blood is Argentina international Marcos Rojo. The former Sporting Lisbon man has emerged as a target for Valencia, according to Spanish source Deporte Valenciano (h/t Metro's Max Miller).

United have been one of this summer's biggest spenders, but Mourinho may have one more piece of work to do before he's done fine-tuning his new-look squad for a sustained Premier League title challenge.

Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports
United States v Japan - International Friendly
FIFA World Cup 2026 Venues - New York New Jersey Stadium

TRENDING ON B/R