Red Devils are drawing up a shortlist as they look at defensive additions in January.

Manchester United are ready to step away from their interest in Lewis Hall, with plans now in place to target one of his Newcastle United team-mates instead.

A fairly active summer transfer window has now passed at Old Trafford, with an effective overhaul of the midfield completed.

There are still doubts surrounding Michael Carrick’s back four, however. Left-back is viewed as a key problem position, with Luke Shaw lacking proper cover ahead of a season in which the club will be competing on four fronts.

United were known to have tracked Hall, the Newcastle United and England full-back, throughout the summer, but never made a formal offer as the Magpies maintained that he was not for sale.

Reports from Tyneside also indicate that Hall is set to be offered a two-year contract extension, with Matthias Jaissle keen to secure his long-term future at St James’ Park.

With that in mind, United have reportedly switched their focus to one of Hall’s team-mates, Malick Thiaw, as a possible target.

Thiaw, 25, only arrived at Newcastle United from AC Milan last summer and impressed during his first season at the club. He is capable of playing both at centre-back and right-back.

It is still unclear whether the Magpies would be willing to sell him, though. He is only in the second year of a long-term contract and has worn the captain’s armband in the opening matches of the season while Dan Burn has been injured.

According to reports from Caught Offside, Newcastle United could ask for as much as £70m for the Germany international, with Liverpool also said to be interested in a deal.

United are now beginning to put together a shortlist amid a broad expectation that they will push to bring in a left-back for Carrick’s squad either in January or next summer.

Reports in Germany claim they are also keeping tabs on Daniel Svensson of Borussia Dortmund.