Alaba? Coleman? Who could Man Utd scouts be watching at Austria vs Ireland?

It was revealed on Saturday that the Red Devils have sent a representative to keep tabs on the World Cup qualifier at the Ernst Happel Stadion. But who are they tracking?

Could Manchester United be set to splash the cash in the January transfer window?

Well, speculation intensified on Saturday as it was revealed the Red Devils had sent a scout to keep tabs on the World Cup qualifier between Austria and Republic of Ireland.

A representative from Jose Mourinho's side was included amongst a list of several scouts from other clubs including Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic and Marseille.

But who are United running the rule over at the Ernst Happel Stadion? Rumours have certainly started to swirl with two names they have been regularly linked with in the past set to take part in the match.

Bayern Munich ace and Austria international David Alaba will be the star attraction on the night and he is one of many stars who have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford over the years.

United have also frequently been linked with Republic of Ireland’s Seamus Coleman, who is currently contracted to Everton.

It was widely reported that United were keen on landing Coleman, 28, before eventually deciding to sign Matteo Darmian from Torino instead in 2015.

A left-field option could be Austria defender Aleksandar Dragovic. The centre-back recently moved to Leverkusen following a spell with Dynamo Kiev.

Although he is only 25, Dragovic is very experienced at international level with 52 caps already to his name, while Mourinho is believed to be keen on signing a new centre-back.

Chris Smalling’s future remains up in the air after Mourinho appeared to criticise the defender for declaring himself unfit to face Swansea City in the Premier League last weekend.