Manchester United could pursue former defender Ryan Shawcross this winter according to reports.
ESPN is of the belief that Louis van Gaal has identified the Stoke City captain as a potential contingency plan for Mats Hummels if they happen to miss out on the World Cup winner.
Germany international Hummels, currently with Borusissa Dortmund, is a January target for the Red Devils who see Shawcross as a back-up plan if that ambitious move falls through.
27-year old Shawcross joined the United youth academy in 2002 before joining the senior ranks at Old Trafford in 2006 but after failing to force his way into the first team, moved to Stoke in 2008 and has emerged as one of England's top few centre-halves in the past few seasons.
