Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal 'interested in Talisca and Fabian Schar'

Dutch boss looking at the pair according to reports

(Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is looking at Talisca and Fabian Schar as possible January recruits, according to reports.

The Sunday People report that Van Gaal, who currently has 10 first-team players unavailable, has sent his top scout to watch Brazilian prodigy Talisca, who has drawn comparisons with Yaya Toure.

Only 20, the former Bahia midfielder, now excelling in the Portuguese league with Benfica, has huge potential.

The paper claims Talisca has already been watched once by United scouts and plan to watch him play for Brazil against Austria on Tuesday; his fantastic form for Benfica saw him called up to the Selecao by Dunga.

Playing as an attacking midfielder Talisca has nine goals in just 14 matches this season, all of those coming in the last 11 games, with Benfica top of the league and still in contention in Group C of the Champions League.

However, Talisca could cost around £35m.

Louis van Gaal is short of defenders after a rash of injuries (Getty Images)

With Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all injured, and Chris Smalling struggling, Van Gaal is also desperately seeking defensive cover, with Basel defender Fabian Schar has been identified as a possible target.

The Swiss defender, 22, was in Ottmar Hitzfeld's World Cup squad, playing in the final group game against Honduras and the last-16 defeat to Argentina.

He impressed in Basel's win against Liverpool in October and scored for the Swiss against Lithuania on Saturday.