Rumour: Manchester United's 12-man hit-list for January

Nemanja Matic – Benfica

Nemanja Matic

United have scouted Matic since November and a move for the former Chelsea reject is on the cards. The defensive midfielder has been a big hit at Benfica and he can enforce the weakest area of Moyes’s team in the centre of midfield. With Cleverly not reaching the potential he was billed for, and with Fellaini having minimal, if at all any impact since his summer deadline day move, a central midfielder is sure a must for United; Matic will cost £20m now that Benfica are out of the Champions League.

Ivan Rakitic – Sevilla

Ivan Rakitic: Unhappy with life in Spain

United and Liverpool have been quoted £33 million for the Sevilla skipper, who has become frustrated with a lack of success at the club and with only a year-and-a-half left on his contract, the club could be forced to sell. United will look at the Croatian if all attempts to sign Barkley fails.

Club president Jose Castro is confident that he can keep the Croatian, stating: “Ivan Rakitic has a year-and-a-half of his contract remaining. I have absolutely no doubts that we’re going to reach an agreement with him. If anyone else is in a rush to have Rakitic, his clause is €40m (£33m) and we’ll leave it at that.”

Fabian Schar – FC Basel

Fabian Schar

His defensive performances for Basel in the Champions League have brought him to the fore, with Arsenal also interested. Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Schar’s representative, says: “He is happy at Basel, where there is a great atmosphere within the club. Arsenal? I can confirm we have had contact with English clubs who want to sign him. There is also interest from Italian and German clubs, but we have more contact from England.”

Schar is a centre-back with the ability to play on the right side of defence. The 21-year-old would be defensive cover, as an eventual replacement for United captain Nemanja Vidic.