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Report: Manchester United planning summer moves for Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire

Varane, Maguire on Man United radar?
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hoping to recruit Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire, according to a report.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has decided to overhaul his defence with the acquisitions of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, according to a report.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have both received criticism this season for their performances, with the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United on Sunday thought to have been the last straw for Mourinho.

Smalling was heavily criticised for diving during the match, while Jones put in a mediocre display in a defeat that left the Red Devils just four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

According to The Mirror, Mourinho has told the United hierarchy that they must start spending big on defenders in wake of Liverpool's £75m move for Virgil van Dijk and Manchester City's £57m outlay on Aymeric Laporte.

The report goes on to claim that France international centre-half Varane, who made his debut at Real Madrid when Mourinho was manager, is top of the Portuguese's shopping list.

United have also been linked with a £50m summer swoop for Leicester City and England defender Maguire, who has impressed after moving to the King Power Stadium from Hull City last summer.

Mourinho has been without centre-half Eric Bailly for the past three months as the Ivory Coast international recovers from ankle surgery.

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Giuseppe Labellarte
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Jose Mourinho watches on during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Burnley on December 26, 2017
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