Manchester United leading race for Marc Bartra as Barcelona defender considers move

The Spain international was not included in the Barca squad for the win at Real Madrid while United are still keen on strengthening their defence. Manchester United lead the race for Barcelona’s Marc Bartra as the defender considers his future at the Nou Camp.

The Spanish international, who started the friendly against England earlier this month, was distraught to be left out of the matchday squad for el clásico at the weekend and is understood to be contemplating a move away to secure first-team football, according to reports in Spain.

United are still in the hunt for a central defender to add to their squad after missing out on Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos in the summer.

While the club pursued Ramos principally because they had been advised of his supposed openness to a move, Louis van Gaal is actually more actively searching for a left-footed centre-back if he can’t sign someone considered elite.

Which is where Bartra comes in, with his first-team chances likely to be further limited by the return of Thomas Vermaelen from a long-term injury.

Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo have revealed that Bartra is in the process of switching agents, and will soon be represented by Carles Puyol.

Former Barca skipper Puyol is moving into agency and counts on strong relationship with Van Gaal which would facilitate any formal move on the part of the Premier League club.

Puyol is also reportedly trying to recruit Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao - another Manchester United target.