Real Madrid eye shock move for Manchester United outcast

Real Madrid have emerged as surprise suitors for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, claims The Sun.

Bailly looks set to leave United after three years at the club after failing to win over new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Ivory Coast international has not featured for United since being substituted in the first half of their 3-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain a month ago.

Bailly made a positive start to life at United but has regressed over the last 18 months and is now deemed surplus to requirements.

Arsenal and Tottenham have both been heavily linked with a move for Bailly over the course of the season but could now both face competition from Madrid.

Madrid have already wrapped up a deal to sign former United target Eder Militao at the end of the campaign but will not stop there in a bid to overhaul their defensive options.

With Raphael Varane mulling his future at the Bernabeu, Madrid may be forced into the market for another defender and Bailly is a potential target for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

The 24-year-old had only started seven league games for United this season and made a further four appearances from the bench.

In fact, Bailly is United’s lowest WhoScored rated player in the league of those to have made at least five starts (6.33 rating).