Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Red Devils Remain Interested In Southampton Defender Luke Shaw

Despite failing to ink Southampton defender Luke Shaw to a contract during the recent winter transfer period, Manchester United remains interested in the rising star. At just 18-years-old, Shaw has already enjoyed a solid senior career, appearing in over 45 league games with the Saints since joining the top club in 2012. While United higher-ups have clearly indicated that upgrading the midfield position is a major priority – even after landing former Chelsea standout Juan Mata – the defending Barclays Premier League champions have also explored ways of improving their defensive unit, and Luke Shaw would be a major step in satisfying that need.

Though United holds a significant level of interest in Shaw, Southampton chairman Katharina Libeherr indicated last month that current Saints players would not be made available during the previous transfer window unless a deal was sanctioned by team officials. “The club has no plans to sell any of the squad during the January transfer window,” she said. “The manager and the team have my full support. No one is for sale at Southampton. No one. My belief has not changed. No player that I don't want to leave will leave this club.”

The Red Devils are reportedly receiving competition from Chelsea and manager Jose Mourinho, who also intend to improve their defensive unit heading into the 2014-2015 campaign. United currently sits seventh in the competitive Barclays Premier League and while a championship repeat is out of the question, the title holders remain hopeful of finishing in the top four in order to earn a bid into next season's UEFA Champions League, though that goal looks bleak as well with Liverpool – the current fourth place team – 11 points north of Old Trafford.

Looking ahead to next season however, first-year manager David Moyes hopes to improve the club by using his implemented system and with the futures of multiple members hanging in the balance, the signing of Luke Shaw would certainly be a positive step moving forward.