Manchester United weigh up January move for sought-after Benfica defender Victor Lindelof

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof in the January transfer window. The Sweden international has impressed playing for the Portuguese giants and Jose Mourinho is considering swooping for the 22-year-old early next year.

United are competing with the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus for Lindelof's signature, according to the Portuguese publication A Bola. Lindelof has been a central figure in a Benfica defence that has conceded a mere five times in their opening nine league fixtures of the season.

But the Old Trafford club may feel they are in need of defensive reinforcements having recently suffered injuries to the likes of Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw.

What's more, Mourinho recently blasted Smalling and Shaw for being unwilling to play through the pain barrier for United in their most-recent game against Swansea City in the Premier League. United won the match in south Wales 3-1, but Mourinho made a point to his missing stars in the aftermath of their victory.

"There is a difference between the brave that want to be there at any cost and the ones that a little pain can make a difference," the United boss told Sky Sports. "Great people, not just football people – great sportspeople – many, many times they play without being 100%. For the team you have to do anything, that is my way of thinking.

"If one day I meet the big ones of this club, the ones with great success in this club for sure they are going to tell me that many times. They put a lot of the line even with pains everywhere. It is not just about the players, it's about the people that surrounds the players. It takes time but with the help of people like [Ashey] Young, [Phil] Jones, [Michael] Carrick, [Wayne] Rooney; these kinds of people I think it will be not an impossible mission, it will be possible mission."