Benjamin Henrichs
Benjamin Henrichs is reportedly being watched by a number of top European clubs Getty Images

Manchester United and Chelsea are both reportedly interested in signing Benjamin Henrichs from Bayer Leverkusen. The 19-year-old German has impressed for the Bundesliga outfit since making his first-team debut in 2015 and has seemingly caught the eye of two of the Premier League's biggest clubs.

Henrichs' impressive performances in the league and the Champions League have led to him being called into the senior national squad for Germany's games against San Marino and Italy this month.

But United and Chelsea could also face competition from Barcelona and Manchester City, who have been similarly impressed by the youngster, according to the German publication Sport Bild. The Cologne-born player is a product of the Leverkusen academy and is capable of playing as a full-back and as a midfielder.

United, for their part, have struggled in defensive positions of late, with their first-choice pair of Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw both suffering injury problems. United boss Mourinho recently voiced his frustration at Shaw's unwillingness to play through the pain barrier for the cause.

"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 said after their most recent Premier League game against Swansea City. "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 [Ashley] 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."