United have endured a lacklustre start to the season which has left them a disappointing eighth in the Premier League standings.
Last weekend’s 3-1 derby defeat to rivals Manchester City compounded the difference in quality between the two sides.
Jose Mourinho started Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof in the heart of defence at the Etihad but they were unable to prevent David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan from getting on the scoresheet.
Lindelof was one of the United boss’ signings in his second summer at Old Trafford but he is known to have wanted another new centre-back this year.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld was thought to be top of Mourinho’s wanted list as he sought to bolster Manchester United’s defence.
And the Portuguese was in attendance on Thursday night to see the 29-year-old in action with the January transfer window on the horizon.
Mourinho was pictured in the stands during Belgium’s 2-0 win over Iceland.
Michy Batshuayi bagged a brace and Eden Hazard impressed as Roberto Martinez’s side ran out comfortable victors.
But it seems Mourinho’s interest will have been on goings on at the other end of the pitch with Alderweireld forming a three-man backline alongside Vincent Kompany and Dedryck Boyata.
Alderweireld is out of contract at Tottenham next summer but the club have the option to extend his deal by 12 months.
That would trigger a release clause of £25m being inserted into his terms though – a bargain for a player of the former Ajax ace’s stature.
Tottenham could look to cash in on Alderweireld in January rather than lose him for a knockdown fee in the summer.
And it appears Mourinho would be among the bidders after he jetted out to Belgium and saw the centre-back in action.
United have also been linked with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic as they look to strengthen in defence.
However, former Chelsea and England striker Chris Sutton has questioned whether Mourinho should be trusted with more funds.
“Mourinho has been banging on about money but is United’s form this season acceptable on the back of last year?” Sutton said.
“He’s been talking about how much City have spent but they have to catch Watford and Bournemouth first.
“And when you look at the signings he has made, how many have actually been a success?
“Has he spent the money well? I don’t think so. Why should the United board trust him to spend well in January?”
United have been credited with interest in a January swoop for River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios too.
