Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Fabinho and Raphael Varane Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has identified his January transfer targets as he continues his pursuit of Monaco full-back Fabinho and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

The self-proclaimed Special One appears keen to strengthen his defensive options despite adding Eric Bailly in the summer.

Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News reported the Red Devils boss wanted to complete a deal for the Red and Whites player in recent weeks, but the club's involvement in the UEFA Champions League scuppered a move. United will "keep tabs" on the Brazil international until the January window as they wait to make a new move for the 22-year-old talent.

VALERY HACHE/Getty Images

Dawson wrote the defender, who worked with Mourinho at the Bernabeu Stadium, "tops the list of potential winter targets," as the coach reviews his wide options. The right-back only featured once for Mourinho in his Real side during a loan spell in 2013.

French publication L'Equipe (h/t Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News) revealed United's continued interest in the player right up until the end of the recent transfer window, with Chelsea also watching the £25 million-rated starlet:

Solhekol also highlighted a huge advantage for Mourinho if the Portuguese wants the defender:

The South American told L'Equipe (h/t Alice McKeegan of the Manchester Evening News) how his future at Monaco was far from resolved: "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."

Here is Fabinho in action for his current club:

United will also continue to monitor France centre-back Varane, who also spent time under Mourinho's tutelage in the Spanish capital.

The Old Trafford giants were interested in signing the centre-back after Mourinho's appointment in the north-west, but Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane convinced Varane to remain with his side, according to Dawson.

The 23-year-old struggled to hold down a starting spot at Real last term but played 26 games in La Liga, according to WhoScored.com. Varane also started six matches in the Champions League as the Galacticos won their 11th European Cup.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

United's defence remains Mourinho's Achilles' heel, with a back line of youngsters and doubts over individual players such as Matteo Darmian and Phil Jones.

Chris Smalling will soon be in contention after injury during pre-season, but Daley Blind has continued his solid form from last season, next to Bailly.

Fabinho would provide United with superb balance, as Luke Shaw bombs down the opposite wing with gusto and verve. 

However, the capture of Varane would be the most spectacular buy, giving United the world-class defender they crave to walk in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand at the Theatre of Dreams.