Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen has joined the race to land Manchester United misfit Alexander Buttner.

Meleunsteen wants to bolster his leaky defence in January and could return to his old club to ask about the out-of-favour Buttner.

Fulham have conceded eight goals in the last two games and will target a new left-back to boost their survival bid.

Meulensteen has yet to be won over by John Arne Riise and has already pushed Kieran Richardson forward amid doubts over his defensive qualities.

And the ex-United coach, who is a fan of Buttner, could be reunited with the Dutchman after adding him to his January hit-list of targets.

Buttner is set to leave Old Trafford after failing to oust Patrice Evra since joining in a £5million deal from Vitesse Arnhem 16 months ago.

Buttner’s agent has already claimed Italian pair Roma and Genoa are leading the scramble for his signature.

But the west Londoners are also in the mix and their loan offer would throw Buttner, 24, a Premier League lifeline.