Ed Woodward makes contract demand to Man Utd's top January transfer target

Ed Woodward wants Mario Mandzukic to drop his contract demands and join Manchester United in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The Red Devils have netted just nine times in eight games this season and are in desperate need of a goalscorer to turn their season around.

Manchester United have identified 33-year-old striker Mandzukic as a target ahead of the transfer window opening in January.

The Croatian is out of favour at Juventus and keen on a switch to the Premier League. But Mandzukic earns a reported £85,000-a-week in Italy, which may prove to be a stumbling block.

Ed Woodward wants Mario Mandzukic to drop his contract demands (Getty Images)

According to ESPN, Woodward is not prepared to overpay on players just to save Man United's season and considers Mandzukic's wages to be too steep.

Man United are currently just two places above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Mandzukic is a United target ahead of the transfer window opening in January (SIMONE ARVEDA/EPA-EFE/REX)

This weekend the Red Devils take on Liverpool at Old Trafford, with Jurgen Klopp's men coming into the game with a 100 per cent record in the league.

United may also be without David de Gea in the derby after the keeper came off with an injury in Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier with Sweden on Tuesday.