Manchester United Tracking Benfica Star Anderson Talisca and FC Basel Defender Fabian Schar

Manchester United are reportedly tracking Benfica midfielder Anderson Talisca and FC Basel defender Fabian Schar ahead of the January transfer window.

According to the Mirror, Louis van Gaal has earmarked the attacking midfielder and the defender as his primary targets for the upcoming transfer window.

Talisca has been a target for multiple clubs following his impressive performances for the Portuguese club and apart from United, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in the player.

The Brazilian, who can either play as a striker or as an attacking midfielder, joined Benfica this summer from Brazilian club Bahia and has started his career in impressive fashion and has already scored nine goals in 10 games.

This has alerted United's Dutch manager and he is keen to snap up the talent ahead of other interested clubs, and the report claims that he has sent his top scout to check on the midfielder.

However, Talisca has distanced himself from all the speculation surrounding his future after admitting that he is currently totally focused on Benfica and not thinking of a move away from the club.

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager is also desperately looking for defensive cover following injuries to first-choice defenders Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo. He has targeted Basel defender Schar to provide cover and add some steel to his defensive department.

The Swiss international defender has continually been linked with a move to the Premier League, but to the Old Trafford club's Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are also in the market for defenders and they could go head-to-head in January.

The 22-year-old defender has indicated that he would like a move to the Premier League in the past and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Basel also could be tempted to cash in on the defender rather than lose him on a free transfer during the summer.