Manchester United line up £40m Mehdi Benatia and Thomas Vermaelen swoop?

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a £40m double swoop for Thomas Vermaelen and Mehdi Benatia.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed that United were interested in Vermaelen on Thursday, as they look to add to their defensive ranks.

The Express reports that new Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal has also lined up Benatia as a possible arrival, with the Roma defender said to cost around £30m.

Van Gaal has experimented with a 3-5-2 formation throughout pre-season, but after the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the Dutchman has been keen to recruit in the defensive areas with Benatia and Vermaelen fitting the bill.

The Red Devils have also been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels this summer, but long-time reported target Ezequiel Garay has joined Zenit St Petersburg.