Manchester United offered Premier League replacement for Raphaël Varane by ex-player

Manchester United have been guided towards two centre-backs who could replace Raphaël Varane this summer as INEOS target new defenders.

Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign two new central defenders this summer. The futures of Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelöf are unclear, while Raphaël Varane will almost certainly leave Old Trafford this summer.

Varane’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, with no indication that INEOS have settled on new terms with the former French international. Reports have suggested that the club would be happy to let Varane stay on reduced terms, but no agreement has been forthcoming.

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With this in mind, United is hunting for a replacement this summer and is looking at bringing in two centre-backs to upgrade the club’s defence after a dire season that has seen too many goals shipped past André Onana.

Former United defender Mikael Silvestre has now offered up two names the club should look at to replace Varane this summer, mentioning Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo as one who has to join the club.

“He’s a good player. He had a tough time at Barcelona to adapt,” Silvestre told bettingexpert.com surrounding Todibo.

“He broke onto the scene early, and he thought that with his qualities, it would be enough to play. He had to learn it the hard way and go on loan to Benfica and then going back to Ligue 1.

“Now’s the time for him to make a big step to a bigger league, and I’m sure there will be a few teams going for him. It’s the same owner (of both clubs, Sir Jim Ratcliffe). If he goes somewhere, it’s got to be United.”

Speaking further, Silvestre then recommended 21-year-old Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as one that the club must look at.

“Murillo is one of the players you have to look at the centre-back position. With United, you have a lot of question marks around that position with (Lisandro) Martínez, Lindelöf, and Varane.” 

“Martinez and Lindelof are often injured. Varane is out of contract in the summer. So maybe he could be replaced by a young Murillo. He could be an option.”