Manchester United are set to target Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman in a January transfer coup, according to reports in UK newspapers.

The Sunday Mirror are leading their coverage with claims that United have put Coleman at the top of their wanted list, three years after the Old Trafford club tried and failed to land the Irish full-back.

Coleman has stated that he is content at Everton and had talked enthusiastically about the progress being made at Goodison Park since Ronald Koeman took over as Everton manager last summer.

Yet the renewed interest from United will be an inconvenience for Everton and Koeman, in a season when they believe they can target a top four finish in the Premier League.

Former United hero Denis Irwin previously stated his belief that Coleman would be a good fit for his former club, while Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane stated last month that the Everton man had traits similar to Irwin.

“I think he leads,” stated Keane. “Would I compare him to Denis Irwin? I don't mean in the football sense, but the way Denis played. Denis led by being a brilliant player and Seamus Coleman is the same type of player.

“He leads by the way he plays, and that's by being a brilliant player and a good lad. He doesn't look like he gets too high one way and too low the other, he's just a real Steady Eddie - and I mean that in the nicest possible way, just like Denis was.

“Just the fact that I'm talking in the same breath as Denis Irwin tells you what I think of Seamus. I don't do that with many players, not in terms of comparing them to Denis.”

Everton are unlikely to welcome any interest in Coleman and confirmed last summer that they are willing to resist temptation to sell their best players after successfully hanging on to star striker Romelu Lukaku.

This is a story that is likely to rumble on ahead of the transfer window, when United are expected to sell out-of-favour full-back Matteo Darmian to Inter Milan.

Online Editors