Manchester United must act quickly to land Benfica wing-back Fabio Coentrao.
The Daily Mail says United have been warned could miss out on Coentrao unless they make a move in January.
Sir Alex Ferguson has targeted the raiding left back amid fears that Patrice Evra could leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
But AC Milan see Coentrao as a successor to the great Paolo Maldini, who has not been adequately replaced since retiring last year.
Chelsea were interested in the summer till they secured Ashley Cole's future and Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester City have also been linked - prompting Milan to consider paying up his release clause in January.
The 22-year-old can leave Benfica for just over £25million, but the Portuguese champions would rather sell unsettled centre half David Luiz - who is most strongly linked with City.
