Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been urged not to move for Samuel Umtiti.
The Barcelona defender may be up for grabs this summer with Matthijs De Ligt a transfer target for the La Liga champions.
Ernesto Valverde is believed to have reservations about Umtiti, who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Arsenal .
Mikael Silvestre played for both clubs although he is remembered most fondly for his time at Old Trafford.
And he believes United should be aiming higher than the World Cup winner.
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
“Man United will always look to sign players with the X-factor, but I don’t see Samuel Umtiti as necessarily a Manchester United player,” he told us-bookies.com.
“I think Eric Bailly has all the qualities Man United need in defence but United will always target the best, so who knows who might come in and they will always look to strengthen the squad.
“For me the focus would be the midfield.”
(Image: AFP)
Solskjaer is likely to move for a central defender this summer with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly another target.
Real Madrid are also keen on the Senegalese defender, with Napoli demanding around £90m for the player.
Carlo Ancelotti has also issued a hands-off warning to any interested party.
“Napoli will not be forced to sell. Koulibaly will not leave here,” the former Chelsea boss said.
(Image: REUTERS)
Arsenal’s reported interest in Umtiti has since been played down with Unai Emery likely to be given a restricted transfer budget this summer.
The Gunners are expected to have just £45m to spend and will only fund further deals through potential sales.
Umtiti’s niggling knee problem may also put potential suitors off with the Frenchman having missed large chunks of the season for Barcelona.
