Manchester United draft three-man defensive shortlist

Manchester United have scaled down their search for a new centre-back to three possible options, according to a report.

The Red Devils missed out on a number of defensive targets last summer, leading to complaints from then-manager Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, sacked in December following United's worst-ever start to a Premier League season, is said to have been keen on Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire, Yerry Mina and Jerome Boateng.

Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly was also strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but his high asking price saw a move ruled out.

According to the Manchester Evening News, however, United - under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until at least the end of the season - are still monitoring Koulibaly ahead of the summer transfer window.

Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar is another option for the English giants, the report suggests, as is Joachim Andersen of Sampdoria.

United, who have four clean sheets from 10 matches under Solskjaer, are said to have begun due diligence to ensure that their transfer business goes to plan ahead of 2019-20, with a new centre-back top of their list of priorities.