 Manchester United have identified Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire should the axed skipper leave the club this summer, according to reports. Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy The £80million defender was booed by supporters during the club's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday, having gifted possession away before the Spanish side's opening goal. Maguire had tried to drive forward out of defence in the 29th minute but passed straight to an Athletic player, leaving a gaping hole in behind as Nico Williams darted in to score. The 30-year-old was playing in a largely second string XI – with United's first-choice team playing a day earlier against Lens at Old Trafford – and has dramatically fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are Erik ten Hag's preferred centre-back pairing, while he has also preferred Victor Lindelof and even left-back Luke Shaw over Maguire. The former Leicester City man was also stripped of the captaincy by his manager over the summer and has been heavily linked with a summer departure, with West Ham showing the most interest in signing him. Maguire, though, is thought to be keen to fight for his future at the club while his enormous salary – which has actually gone up as a result of United qualifying for the Champions League – could be a major stumbling block to any prospective suitors. Todibo has grown in stature since joining Nice (Picture: Getty) Should Maguire leave, however, United have already begun planning for his departure and, according to Fabrizio Romano, are looking at young Nice centre-back Todibo. United's hierarchy have asked to be 'informed on the conditions of a deal' but have yet to solidify their interest, with any move dependent on Maguire finding a new club. Ten Hag feels he needs four centre-backs at his disposal an){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Manchester United have identified Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire should the axed skipper leave the club this summer, according to reports.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
The £80million defender was booed by supporters during the club’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday, having gifted possession away before the Spanish side’s opening goal.
Maguire had tried to drive forward out of defence in the 29th minute but passed straight to an Athletic player, leaving a gaping hole in behind as Nico Williams darted in to score.