Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho reportedly wants AS Monaco defender Fabinho to move to the Old Trafford when the winter transfer window opens in January.
The Daily Express reported that the new Red Devils manager is expected to "dust off the cheque book again in four months to splash £15 million" on the 22-year-old Brazilian right back as the Portuguese mentor wants to further improve his backfield this season.
United had allowed Mourinho to spend £145.3 million during the recently closed English summer transfer window in the acquisition of his four priority targets, namely new world transfer record £89 million signing Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan while Zlatan Ibrahimović was snagged in a free transfer.
The report said that the Special One coveted for a fifth signing, which is Fabinho, but the deal was not permitted in time as United officials wanted him to sell surplus players first before making another multi-million pound move.
However, Mourinho is expected to make the most of his second chance at the 6-foot-2, Campinas, Brazil native once the January window opens.
Fabinho had played under Mourinho during the Brazilian's loan time with La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid in 2012 and was one of the most favorite defenders of the Portuguese boss.
Meanwhile, Caught Offside noted that Fabinho may have chosen to stay with the Ligue 1 club because they are set to compete in the UEFA Champions League this season and the Brazilian reportedly wants to feature in Europe's premier club continental competitions.
United was not able to qualify because of their fifth-place finish in the English top flight last term with Louis van Gaal at the helm.
The report then mentioned that "adding more new faces in January could be key in maintaining" United's early momentum this term with three straight wins after winning the Community Shield against reigning champs Leicester City during the preseason.
United is currently on top of the Premier League table with cross-city rivals Manchester City and 2014 champions Chelsea as all three have a perfect league record after three rounds.
The Red Devils are set to face the Citizens on Sep. 10, Saturday in the first Manchester derby of the season.
