Manchester United failed with deadline day move for Real Madrid star

Manchester United are reported to have failed with a world-record fee for a defender to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.

The Red Devils were keen on signing a new centre-back before the transfer deadline and this saw them linked with the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire and Jerome Boateng.

However, according to The Sun, Jose Mourinho is said to have had another target in Varane in mind but United could not lure him from the clutches of Los Blancos.

As per the publication, United were prepared to pay as much as £100m for the France World Cup winner but their offer did not materialise with Los Blancos deeming him indispensable.

Owing to this, Mourinho now has to work with the same bunch of defenders from the previous campaign and he will be hoping for an improvement in terms of the fitness record this term.

The likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly have been hampered with regular injuries during their time at Old Trafford and Mourinho will be hoping that they can remain unscathed in the forthcoming campaign.