Manchester United Cleared to Sign Fabio Coentrao in Summer - Report

Manchester United have been boosted in the race for Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao with the Metro stating that the Spanish club are willing to sell him in the summer.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with a move for the player last summer and were almost successful with a loan deal on deadline day. David Moyes is scouring the market for players to replace Patrice Evra, who is likely to leave the club in the summer and has been in abysmal form all season.

His defensive frailties along with his age has been come to the fore this season and with United missing out on Leighton Baines from Everton, Moyes is looking to strengthen his defence with a move for the out-of-favour left back.

Coentrao has made only six appearances this season in the league and is likely to move out of Spain to regain his first team spot. A move to United is very much on the cards, given that the defending Premier League Champions are light in that region.

United have also been linked with a move for Luke Shaw, but Moyes is looking for a cheaper option, with the Portuguese international expected to be available for a fee in the range of £10m.

The Red Devils are set for a complete makeover in the summer, with the former Everton manager scouting a lot of players in midfield and attack to bring United back into reckoning for a top four spot next season and eventually to the title.

The Red Devils will face Manchester City on Tuesday with the Citizens looking to keep up in the title race and close the gap on Chelsea who are currently six points ahead, having played three games more.

A win here will give Manuel Pellegrini some much needed confidence to finish the job and reclaim the title from United.

Moyes has a lot of defensive problems at the back with Michael Carrick likely to start in the centre of defence yet again in the absence of Nemanja Vidic.