Man Utd tipped to take huge step in fixing shattered defence by landing £34m international in January

Manchester United are reportedly keen to strengthen their struggling defence by handing an England international an opportunity to return to the Premier League. Erik ten Hag's side suffered a disappointing exit from the Champions League in midweek and have endured a challenging period in their push for a top four place in the Premier League after losing seven of their 16 league games.

United's rickety defence is set to face further scrutiny this weekend, when Ten Hag's side face a daunting trip to Anfield to take on old foes Liverpool. The Red Devils were on the receiving end of a 7-0 battering in the same fixture last season, and another brutal scoreline will increase the pressure on the manager, and strengthen calls to clear out a number of senior players in the upcoming January transfer window.

Muchh as been made of the defensive lapses that have hampered United's progress throughout the campaign and there has now been a suggestion Ten Hag will look to improve his backline with a move for AC Milan and England centre-back Fikayo Tomori when clubs are able to sign players again next month.

The former Chelsea defender has regularly spoken of the improvement in his game since he joined the San Siro giants on a permanent basis in the summer of 2021 on the back of a successful season-long loan spell. Speaking to OneFootball during the summer, he said: “When I arrived, I had to think more about my style of play. In Italy, it is more important to understand where to position yourself with respect to the ball, how to pass it. It is more specific and depends on the movements of the team. It’s different than in England, where sometimes you play on instinct. In Italy I think we tend to eliminate it as much as possible. I work on more specific aspects, I have to make sure I’m good with both the right and the left."

Tomori's current contract has committed him to Milan until the summer of 2027 but one report in Italy has suggested he could ‘abruptly and rather unexpectedly’ return to the Premier League with a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season. The 13-times Premier League champions are said to be 'pressing' to make a move for the England defender as they look to strengthen a backline that has received severe criticism throughout the opening four months of the season.

The 25-year-old impressed in his side's 2-1 away win against Newcastle United in the Champions League earlier in the week, and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet after rifling a shot against the post during a counter-attack late on at St. James' Park.

Milan are said to be against allowing Tomori to depart during the January transfer window but the report does suggest 'a transfer could occur' next summer if the Serie A club receive an offer of around £34m. Two possible replacements for Tomori are said to be on Milan's radar as Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior and Villarreal's Matteo Gabbia are both reportedly under consideration.