It’s fair to say Manchester United’s relationship with Real Madrid has been pretty one-sided in recent years.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, David Beckham, and most significantly, Cristiano Ronaldo have all left Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.
Of course, there have been players who have gone the other way, such as Angel Di Maria.
Overall, though, Los Blancos have had a definite advantage over the Red Devils.
That could prove the case again this summer, with David de Gea once more being linked with a return to his hometown.
Yet, AS report that Jose Mourinho is refusing to let his former employers take his star goalkeeper without offering something in return.
United could therefore ask for Raphael Varane as part of the deal, particularly as they have been interested in the Frenchman for a while now.
The performances of Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo in the EFL Cup final have cast more doubt on their long-term places at the club, and it’s likely that Mourinho will seek out a new partner for Eric Bailly at the end of the season.
Varane would be a top option, but with Pepe quitting Madrid, Zidane may be reluctant to let such a solid back-up leave.
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