Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho to launch Diego Godin bid to sort defensive problems

Mourinho is currently without first-choice defenders Smalling and Bailly

Godin was shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or (Getty)

Manchester United are lining up a £30m January bid for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin as Jose Mourinho tries to strengthen his leaky defence.

Mourinho is looking to clear the deadwood from his squad and replace them with high-quality alternatives, and the defence is top of his to-do list.

United are going through a centre-back crisis at the moment, with Mourinho being forced to deploy two left-backs at the heart of his defence.

Eric Bailly, who has impressed since arriving from Villarreal in the summer, and Chris Smalling are both out injured, while Phil Jones is only just coming back from a long injury absence, leaving Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind as the only available centre-backs.

Bailly is expected back midway through December but, fitness pending, he could then find himself playing in the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in January.

As a result, United are keen to bring in Godin, who was recently named on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.

The Red Devils are confident they can for Atletico to sell with a large offer and they will be able to easily beat his current salary of £70,000-a-week, according to The Sun.

Godin has been one of the stand-out defenders in Europe for the last few seasons, helping Atletico to two Champions League finals, as well as impressing with Uruguay.

Ed Woodward is happy back Mourinho with the money, despite Godin being 30 years old, as he is keen to secure more big-name, recognisable talent.