Man Utd to pursue Marc Bartra

Manchester United will reportedly explore a summer deal for Barcelona defender Marc Bartra.

The Spain international has struggled for sufficient playing time this season with manager Luis Enrique favouring the likes of Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen ahead of him for the centre-back role.

Catalan daily Sport understands that the Red Devils will step up their interest in the 25-year-old this summer as they seek to bolster their back line for the next campaign.

United have struggled to find a regular partner to Chris Smalling this season mainly due to their ongoing injury crisis.