Rumour: David Moyes spotted scouting Porto's Eliaquim Mangala and Benfica's Ezequiel Garay

Manchester United boss David Moyes has stepped up his search for a new centre back, with reports suggesting that he flew to Portugal for a double scouting mission of both Eliaquim Mangala and Ezequiel Garay.

Both men have been constantly linked with United over the past month, meaning that there is little surprise that the Mirror have reported that Moyes took the opportunity to scout the pair when their respective clubs met in the Portuguese cup.

Benfica defender Garay and Porto centre-back Mangala, who has also been heavily linked with Manchester City, came face to face on Wednesday night with Moyes, his assistant Steve Round and United coach Jimmy Lumsden all reported to be in attendance.

The trio were eyeing up the pair in anticipation of a summer of heavy spending from last season’s Champions, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League having endured a disappointing first season under Moyes.

Top of Moyes’ list of acquisitions is likely to be at least one new centre back, with the Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic partnership that has served the club so well firmly in the past. Vidic has already confirmed his move to Inter Milan, while Ferdinand is also out of contract and unlikely to extend his stay.

Garay and Mangala have emerged as two of the most heavily linked targets, prompting the scouting trip to assess the pair.

The game finished 3-1 to Benfica, but media reports in England have been more interested in the stands than the game, with the Daily Mail asserting that Moyes was actually at the game to watch Mangala, fellow Porto man Jackson Martinez and Benfica left back Guilherme Siqueira.