Agent travels to Manchester United to complete loan deal for Guillermo Varela amid LVG concerns

Guillermo Varela's agent is travelling to England in a bid to accelerate the player's transfer to Genoa after it was blocked by Louis van Gaal on account of concerns over his team's lack of depth in that position. The Red Devils have a myriad of injuries at full-back and Van Gaal believes Varela could prove to be an important piece of the puzzle later in the campaign.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that a loan deal with an option to buy at €3m (£2m, $4m) is pending with United, who are in no hurry to sanction the transfer citing Van Gaal's concerns. The Dutchman has already blocked a loan move for Andreas Pereira and is looking to keep all the players at his disposal as he strives to get back in the running for a top four spot.

The former Barcelona man is under pressure following his side's 1-0 loss to Southampton at Old Trafford and has revealed that he is in the market to sign a full-back, given injuries to Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Phil Jones. Rojo is back in Argentina recuperating from his injury while the others are still some way away from getting back into the first team.

Van Gaal wants to give Varela a chance to prove himself at Old Trafford by keeping him in the first team against Derby Country in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The 22 year old has made only two Premier League appearances for the Red Devils since signing from Penarol in 2013 and this is probably his last chance to make an impression and establish himself as a first choice at home for the 20-time English champions.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has confirmed that he will not quit his position at Old Trafford amid reports that Jose Mourinho has been sounded out to replace the Dutchman. The Red Devils are currently five points adrift of fourth placed Tottenham and 10 behind leaders Leicester City.