Man Utd aim to solve defensive woes with Benatia move (Mirror)

Manchester United need a centre-half in the January transfer window - and it could be Juventus ' reliable Mehdi Benatia.

Reports in Italy continually link the Moroccan with Old Trafford, especially as they are in the market for a ball-playing, experienced defender.

This is after moves for Leicester's Harry Maguire and Spurs' Toby Alderweireld broke down.

Jose Mourinho could go back for the pair in January - even if club bosses veto'd the moves in the summer.

French-Moroccan Benatia has played for Marseille, Roma and Bayern Munich before moving to the Allianz Stadium.

He's played 28 times for Juventus but has struggled for game time this season.

The 6ft 2in centre back has 55 caps for his country and needs to play now he's 31.

He could be a cut price alternative for United and Tuttosport have again linked him with a move to England.

The player himself said: “I struggle to play with no consistency," Benatia told   La  Stampa   earlier this season. "I was doing well last season because I was playing on a regular basis.

“Now it’s not the same. This is my job and I always need to work hard to be ready to play but it’s a situation I don’t like.

“I am 31 and I want to play as much as I can. Let’s see what happens in January, how many games I will play. Let’s see if Juve and Allegri need me. I am here to give my best and that’s what I will do until I’m here.

"If the manager needs me in the Champions League I will be ready.”

Born and raised in France, the defender started at Marseille before loan spells with Lorient and Tours.

He moved to Clemont before really making his name in Italy with Udinese and Roma.