Manchester United Transfer News: Gary Cahill Targeted in Latest Rumours

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has reportedly emerged as a target for Manchester United, as manager Jose Mourinho is keen to strengthen his defence when the transfer window reopens in January.

Cahill is out of favour at Chelsea and could ask to leave the club in search of regular game time, according to The Sun's Mike McGrath.

Manchester United have had problems in defence this season and could bring in the centre-back as Mourinho wants to "bolster his options," per the report.

Cahill has said he finds it difficult being on the bench at Stamford Bridge. He also said he could leave in January if the situation continued, per the Guardian's Sachin Nakrani.

The defender has managed just one substitute appearance in the Premier League for Chelsea this season under new manager Maurizio Sarri. David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger have emerged as the Italian's favoured central defensive partnership.

The 32-year-old featured in Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool at Anfield and put in a solid display alongside Andreas Christensen in the heart of the Blues defence.

Sarri said he was happy with his performance and has urged him to be patient, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

However, Cahill is out of contract at the end of the season, and the Blues may be tempted to sell if they receive a decent offer in January.

Sarri is hardly short of defensive options with Luiz, Rudiger and Christensen. Cesar Azpilicueta can also play at centre-back as well as 18-year-old Ethan Ampadu.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has struggled to find a reliable centre-back pairing despite having Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in his squad.

Squawka Football highlighted the amount of rotation being used:

The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the season. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Derby County and have suffered two Premier League defeats in their first six matches.

United were linked with a host of defenders during the summer transfer window, as noted by football writer Graham Ruthven:

The club failed to strengthen their defence over the summer, but Mourinho has said he thinks his backline is improving, per Simon Stone at BBC Sport:

Mourinho will know Cahill well from their time together at Chelsea. Cahill offers plenty of experience, but he's heading towards the end of his career and is not a signing that will excite supporters.