Solskjaer takes Paul Scholes advice as he identifies Man Utd transfer priority

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly wants to land Dayot Upamecano this transfer window.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils boss has prioritised the signing of a new centre-back to partner Harry Maguire with the RB Leipzig ace top of his wish-list.

And that seems to indicate he has taken the advice of former team-mate Paul Scholes in a bid to cover up Maguire’s ‘slight weaknesses’.

Maguire and Swedish star Victor Lindelof kept 13 Premier League clean sheets last season and were much improved over the second half of the campaign.

But they cost their side in the Europa League semi-finals as Lindelof switched off allowing Sevilla to net a late winner.

After the game, Scholes indicated that he saw a need to add a “dominant centre-half” next to Maguire – something which is now reportedly being pursued by Solskjaer.

“I think they could do with a centre half, I’ve said that all along,” Scholes said on BT Sport.

“I’m not sure Lindelof going to be good enough as a partner for Maguire. I think they need a dominant defender next to him.

“Defensively, the full backs are OK. On the ball you’d have to question but defensively they’re OK.

“I think the defensive record over the last 15, 20 games has been very good, probably one of the best in the league so you have to take that into respect as well.

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“But I still think a dominant centre-half next to Maguire, just to cover for the slight weaknesses he has.”

Upamecano, who has long been linked with Arsenal, impressed in RB Leipzig’s Champions League run.

He recently penned a new deal which includes a release clause for just €42m but that cannot be triggered until next summer.

That means United face spending a hefty fee to land him this window rather than waiting another 12 months.