Manchester United are ready to make a shock bid to bring Jonny Evans back to Old Trafford.

Manager Jose Mourinho believes that it was a huge mistake by predecessor Louis van Gaal to sell the central defender to West Brom for just £6million two and a half years ago.

Now he wants him back – but Mourinho knows he will have to fight off neighbours Manchester City and Arsenal who are both preparing bids for the 29-year-old Baggies star who faces United at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

(Image: Getty)

City had a £20million offer rejected by City in the last transfer window while Gunners boss Arsene Wenger also registered his interest.

It’s believed West Brom won’t stand in Evans’ way if an acceptable bid of around £30million is received during the January window.

(Image: Liverpool FC/Getty)

United’s interest in Evans who spent 11 years at the club has increased with the news that central defender Eric Bailly has been ruled out for at least three months following ankle surgery.

Swedish international Victor Lindelof has also struggled since his £32 million summer move from Benfica.

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(Image: Getty)

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Since leaving United, Evans has become a talisman for West Brom and Northern Ireland and sparked interest among some of the Premier League’s top clubs which now includes Manchester United.

Mourinho, who is confident of landing Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil in the summer on a free transfer, is also eyeing possible moves for Paris Saint-Germain right-back Thomas Meunier and Tottenham left-back Danny Rose.

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Meunier, a Belgium international, is aware of United’s interest and would favour a switch to the Premier League in the summer.

* MANCHESTER UNITED have made an enquiry about RB Salzburg kid Ulrick Ella, writes Tom Hopkinson .

The 16-year-old striker, born in France of Gabonese descent, is hot property in Austria and United are considering adding him to their academy.