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Marcos Rojo is closing in on a move to Everton as Manchester United intensify their efforts to sign a central defender before next week's transfer deadline.

United have identified Rojo, 28, as the expendable centre-back while they work on a possible deal for Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld or Leicester's Harry Maguire. New Everton coach Marco Silva was Rojo's manager when he left Sporting Lisbon for United in a £16million move in 2014.

Rojo would have entered the last year of his United contract had he not inked a new deal until 2021 in March but the injury-prone Argentina international has only managed two starts for the club since then. Rojo managed to stay fit for Argentina's turbulent World Cup campaign, where he scored their winner against Nigeria but was embarrassed by Kylian Mbappe in their knockout defeat to France.

Although Rojo has a 'physical problem', United told him to return to Manchester rather than link up with the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States. The club could command a fee of up to £30m for the Argentinian.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has struck up a productive working relationship with Everton since the questionable handling of David Moyes' departure, as well as United's derisory £28m joint bid for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines in 2013. The clubs negotiated deals for Morgan Schneiderlin, Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku last year after the £27.5m deadline day agreement for Fellaini five years ago.

Alderweireld is United's preferred defensive target and the MEN previously revealed the club attempted to conclude a £55million deal in May, however they have struggled to make a breakthrough during negotiations with Spurs. New Leicester signing Jonny Evans has suffered an injury, which could have an impact on Leicester's handling of the Maguire saga.

United's need for a centre-back has become particularly pressing, with Axel Tuanzebe potentially the only fit and available first-team option for manager Jose Mourinho in the Tuesday night friendly with Real Madrid in Miami. Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling were absent from United's open training session at Barry University on Monday morning, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones have just returned from their post-World Cup breaks and Rojo is also sidelined.

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