The poor performances of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at the weekend have led to reports that Manchester United could be in the market for a new defender.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld is on Jose Mourinho's list of targets.

The local publication claims that the Red Devils are monitoring the Belgian's contract situation.

Alderweireld has 18 months remaining on his current deal, which has the option to be extended by another year.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/manutd-diving.mp4

Interestingly, the newspaper reports that a £25m release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2019, but it must be activated two weeks before the transfer deadline.

The centre-back does not seem to be any closer to signing fresh terms at the North London outfit, which has put rumours of a possible exit at the forefront of the transfer gossip pages.

The fact that United have now entered the picture, fans have been discussing the possibility of signing Alderweireld.