Report: Manchester United want Ashley Cole

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a shock January move for Roma left-back Ashley Cole.

Reports on Monday suggested that the Serie A outfit were looking to offload the former Chelsea defender just four months after luring him to the Italian capital.

It is believed that the 33-year-old is willing to return to England and, according to The Daily Express, United boss Louis van Gaal is interested in signing him up to provide competition for Luke Shaw.

Roma coach Rudi Garcia is reported to have already identified Cole's replacement, with Fiorentina's Manuel Pasqual and Barcelona full-back Adriano both linked.

Cole, whose contract expires in 2016, was substituted at half time during the Giallorossi's 7-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich last week.