Man United ‘target Alphonso Davies’ – and can sign him on pre-contract deal in 10 weeks’ time – but fear they will be trumped by a major European club for the Bayern Munich flying full back

Manchester United have concrete interest in Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies – and have already made an ‘informal enquiry’ about signing him, according to reports in Germany.

Davies, 23, looks set to leave Bayern on a free transfer next summer with his contract at the Allianz Arena running down – barring a shock late u-turn.

And United could be the club to take advantage, with the Canadian on their radar to come in as a first-choice left back according to Sky Germany.

The left side of United’s defence has been an issue for Erik ten Hag, with Luke Shaw suffering from repeated injury trouble and the versatile Diogo Dalot having to cover on both sides of the back line while Tyrell Malacia is a long-term absentee.

Davies would be allowed to sign a pre-contract with a club outside of Germany as soon as January – just 10 weeks away – but United are not the only option.

Real Madrid are thought to lead the race to sign the to-be-free agent and are long-term admirers of his speed and attacking threat down the left flank.

Real signed Kylian Mbappe as a free agent last summer and are thought to be keen on another blockbuster freebie signing to strengthen their defence.

But the transfer is not settled – as indicated to Barcelona, another suitor, earlier this month – leaving a door open for United to potentially pounce.

Ten Hag has been vocal in his frustration about player availability of late, with left back a key area where difficulties have been exposed.

‘That holds us back in our levels, and also in our position in the league because when you don’t have the players available you can’t line up the best team,’ Ten Hag said this week.

Davies is pictured during Bayern’s shocking Champions League defeat by Barcelona

‘That is what’s holding us back in this moment. We need more players often available, and we have to work all together on this point – and that is the players, the coaching staff, all the other staff.

‘We have to do better to get more available players because we know when we have them we are a really tough team to play.

‘And when we have them, we can be really successful. That is what we have shown over the last couple of months.’

United are 12th in the Premier League and are yet to win the Europa League either, which puts a risk on their chances of Champions League qualification – which would be a key attraction for a player of Davies’ calibre.