Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has confirmed that Manchester United have sought to pursue his signature. The France international has shared a fond bond with Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho since their time together at the Bernabeu, and it is reported that the Portuguese wants a reunion with the centre-back during the summer.

Speaking on Spanish outlet El Larguero, Varane was asked whether the Red Devils have approached for his signature in the recent past, and he happened to confirm the interest by saying: “No, not directly. There were contacts, but not directly.” Obviously, United are pretty much done with signing forward players ahead of the summer with Mourinho recently stressing that he would focus on other areas of the pitch.

The Red Devils were linked with the likes of Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann leading into the winter transfer window, but they ultimately pursued the signature of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, which has urged Mourinho to bolster the midfield and defensive departments, which are in need of fresh options ahead of next season.

Earlier last month, Mourinho confirmed this via a press conference, where he said: “That’s why I say that it’s bad for you [the media] because you like to have things to write and things to speculate, especially in the summer. But I don’t want attacking players so don’t speak about attacking players that are coming here because nobody is coming here.”

Varane has become a regular alongside Sergio Ramos over the past 18 months with Pepe having moved on, but there are still question marks over his long-term future at Los Blancos after a below-par season in the Spanish La Liga. The league holders have produced a poor defence of their title, which sees them 15 points off table-toppers Barcelona, and club-president Florentino Perez is said to be planning a major overhaul of the squad from the back to the front.