Manchester United Closing in on Benfica Defender Ezequiel Garay - Report

Manchester United are closing in on Ezequiel Garay as David Moyes looks to spruce up his side's defence, according to the Mirror.

The Red Devils have been long-term admirers of the Argentina defender and are looking to finally complete the transfer following the departure of Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan.

United are looking to close a deal with the defender before the World Cup and the Portuguese club are expected to sell Garay, with only one year left in his current contract.

The player has a release clause in the range of £17m but United are looking to get him for much less owing to his contract situation.

United are in need of a defensive reshuffle with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are also seen moving out of the club.

Garay has been a rock in the defence for Benfica, helping his side go top of the league and overcome the likes of Tottenham Hotspur to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League. His agent Rafael Bray refused to comment on his situation but insisted there would be development in the summer.

"In the summer he will be entering the final year of his contract with Benfica, so logically there will be news. But at this moment, I insist, Garay is only thinking about Benfica," Rafael said.

Meanwhile, Moyes is under immense pressure after United's 3-0 loss to arch rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford but the supporters are riled after the Scotsman said the home side should be trying to replicate City in the way they play.

"I think we've played a very good side and it's the sort of standard and level we need to try and aspire to get ourselves to at this moment in time. I think we need to play better. We're needing to come up a couple of levels at the moment and we're not quite there," Moyes said.