Ralf Rangnick appears to be plotting an overhaul in defence after Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane failed to convince him they are the partnership to take Manchester United forwards.
Varane, 28, arrived from Real Madrid last summer for an initial fee of £34million to give United what seemed on paper to be a formidable centre-back alliance.
But this has not translated onto the pitch this season and only Southampton (37) have conceded more Premier League goals than the Red Devils (34) among clubs in the top half of the table.
