Transfer Centre

No Sergio Ramos alternative for Manchester United?

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 28 July 2015

Several reports claim that if Manchester United fail in their pursuit of Sergio Ramos, they will not look to sign an alternative centre-back.

Manchester United reportedly have no intention of signing a centre-back this summer if their supposed pursuit of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos were to fall through.

It has been speculated that Ramos was United manager Louis van Gaal's number one target following a rumour that the 29-year-old had informed Madrid president Florentino Perez of his desire to move to Old Trafford.

However, recent reports have suggested that the Spain international has since patched up his differences with Perez and will now extend his contract, which expires in 2017, at the Bernabeu.

As a result, it was expected that Van Gaal would turn his focus to alternative options, one of which was thought to be Valencia's Argentina international Nicolas Otamendi.

However, according to numerous reports in the English media, Van Gaal has no interest in Otamendi or any other central defender.

Instead, it is believed that the Dutch boss would be happy to start the season with a combination of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind as his options in the heart of the United defence.