Manchester United plan move for Liverpool striker target Christian Benteke

Manchester United are considering a move in signing Aston Villa star Christian Benteke, according to The Daily Mail.

The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals in the last three months of the 2014/15 season and his form in the final few months of the previous campaign has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs. The striker is looking forward to leave Villa Park in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are also interested in securing the services of Benteke, according to The Telegraph. Tim Sherwood has already revealed the player has a £32.5m release clause in his contract and has been linked with a move to United and the Merseyside club.

The Daily Mail claims the Reds are favourites to land the striker. However, they are unwilling to meet Villa's asking price, which has now seen Louis van Gaal join the race in signing him.

The report further states that the Old Trafford club have not yet made a firm contact with Benteke's club over his availability and that they are considering him as an option to lead Red Devils' strike force for the next season as the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has allowed a few of his players to leave the club.

After a disappointing last season, United decided against signing Radamel Falcao on a permanent transfer and allowed him to return to AS Monaco after his loan deal expired. The Colombian international has joined Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

In addition to this, Robin van Persie has left United and joined Turkish club Fenerbahce. The United manager also has the services of Javier Hernandez, who returned after completing his loan deal at Real Madrid.

The Mexican international's future is uncertain as he is attracting interest from Major League Soccer. MLS outfit Orlando City chairman Flavio Augusto da Silva confirmed his side are interested in signing Hernandez.

With Van Persie and Falcao's exit, it leaves Van Gaal with skipper Wayne Rooney and James Wilson as the first choice strikers in the squad. Benteke's addition will give the Dutchman more options during the team selection as they look to challenge for the title next season.