Manchester United are interested in Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross.
The Daily Mail says United's chief scout Jim Lawlor checked on the Stoke skipper in the 2-2 draw at Wigan on Saturday.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering bolstering his defensive options after seeing his second-string backline torn apart by West Ham in the Carling Cup last week.
And Shawcross is in the frame for a return to the club he quit in 2007 to join Stoke.
Ferguson was reluctant to let the 23-year-old move and inserted a clause in the deal which allows the Reds to match any rival bid if Shawcross is sold.
Liverpool are among the clubs who are also believed to be keen on him.
