Manchester United’s desperate bid to bring in a defender before the transfer window shuts could see them turn to Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.

According to Sky Sports News, Jose Mourinho has indicated the Germany centre-half is his No1 target but there are concerns from within the corridors of power over the World Cup winner’s injury record.

The 29-year-old has seen his Bayern career punctured by several injury issues with Boateng almost missing out on Germany’s disastrous campaign in Russia due to a hamstring complaint last season.

And while the funds are available for a defender – United are said to have had two bids, the second of which was worth around £60million, for Leicester City’s Harry Maguire turned down – they are instead trying to pursue a loan deal.

Boateng has three years remaining on his current deal and with the window closing for Premier League clubs at 20:00 (UAE time), time is of the essence.