Man Utd's next centre-back? Wolves' Max Kilman emerges as shock transfer candidate as Red Devils' look to ease defensive woes

According to The Times, United have made a centre-back signing one of their priorities this summer and have sent scouts to watch Kilman several times this season. There has been no contact between the clubs yet, with the Wolves skipper said to be one of many players United are looking at.

United have had a catalogue of injuries this season, with defence being the area hit hardest. None of their centre-backs have been able to stay consistently fit, with Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof the latest to be ruled out. It is neither player's first layoff either.

While surprisingly not yet capped by England, Kilman has attracted the attention of bigger clubs before. Last summer, Napoli failed in a bid to sign the 26-year-old as they looked to replace Kim Min-jae. Could this year be a different story?

Kilman, who has started every league game this season, will be vital to Gary O'Neil's efforts to guiding Wolves to an unlikely European spot. Sitting in 10th, they are just three points off seventh-placed West Ham.