Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign yet another Real Madrid star.
Following their recent 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, the Red Devils are now off to their worst start to a league season since 1989/90, as per Opta Sports.
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The manager, Erik ten Hag, is facing growing pressure at the helm, with the club now 14th on the Premier League table with eight points in seven matches.
United spent a whopping €214.5 million (R4.1 billion) on the signings of five new faces in the latest transfer window, namely Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.
However, the club may now look to the market again in search of more reinforcements in midfield.
According to Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes, the Red Devils want to sign Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in January, with it claimed the France international could be allowed to leave amid interest from Liverpool too.
Should the deal be completed, it would not be the first time Real and United have struck an agreement in recent years, with the two clubs previously completed deals for Casemiro and Raphael Varane.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, has stressed the importance of a competitive defensive midfielder while Ugarte takes time to integrate into the team following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.
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Speaking after his side's 3-3 draw with Porto in the UEFA Europa League last week, Ten Hag said: "We brought in new young players again, and we have to integrate them, like Manuel Ugarte.
"The No. 6 position was one of the positions we wanted to sign for this season, but he needs time to integrate. I know in top football you don't get time, they have to perform immediately, but that's not always realistic.
"Ugarte has to get used to our game model, he has to get used to his teammates, he has to get used to the intensity of the Premier League."