Gary Neville believes Raphael Varane would be the ideal centre-half partner for Harry Maguire.
Manchester United are expected to pursue a central defender in the summer and the Real Madrid man is heavily linked.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has chopped and changed between the likes of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and youngster Axel Tuanzebe.
Options are not an issue, but neither of the aforementioned trio have been able to nail down the position.
Neville has name dropped Varane as United’s ideal centre-half signing when quizzed on Twitter.
And the situation in Madrid means the Frenchman could be obtainable ahead of a potential rebuild in Spain.
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
Los Blancos have been unable to convince Varane to sign a new deal and may be forced into his exit.
Neville has previously claimed that United need to pursue a defender whose physical attributes can be a perfect foil for Maguire, who is more of a ball-playing defender.
The club’s investment in the former Leicester defender, who was signed for a world record fee in 2019, means they have to build the back four around him.
Neville said previously on Sky Sports: “They concede too many goals and if you concede one or more goals per game, you’re not going to win a Premier League. Manchester United have to look at that.
“They’re not going to turf Maguire out. They’ve invested £80m, he’s the cornerstone of the defence and the one they will build the defence around. So they need to find a partner for him.
“It’s got to be someone of the physicality and profile of Eric Bailly. Someone who is quick, good in the air, strong and can cover Maguire one-on-one.
“But also someone who’s going to get them up the pitch to allow them to play a bit higher.
“Lindelof’s problem is Maguire and Maguire’s problem is Lindelof.”
