Man Utd's £70m transfer plan shows outcome of Maguire dressing room inquest

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to dip into the transfer market for a new centre-half in January as Harry Maguire's struggles continue.

The Red Devils skipper has suffered a massive dip in form this season as United ship goals in defence.

The Englishman has been at fault for various goals Man United have conceded over the last month or so, notably against Leicester and Liverpool.

And Maguire was guilty of another blunder last week in United's rematch against Atalanta in Bergamo as he inexplicably lost lost track of Duvan Zapata who put the Italians 2-1 ahead, before Cristiano Ronaldo came to the rescue to secure a 2-2 draw.

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It's been reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rushed the defender back from a recent calf injury to cope with the absence of Raphael Varane.

There are also murmurs from the dressing room that players are unhappy that Solskjaer has continued to play his underperforming stars, instead of giving players on the fringes a chance.

It's a fall from grace for Maguire who was signed for a record £80million fee and then named captain because of how well he settled in at Old Trafford.

And his misery could be compounded with reports that United are eyeing a centre-back in the upcoming window due to his struggles.

Jules Kounde is believed to be at the top of their shortlist with Sevilla concerned United may look to trigger the Frenchman's £68m (€80m) release clause once the window opens, according to AS.

Kounde was linked with an exit from La Liga in the summer as Chelsea looked destined to sign the stopper, until talks broke down between both parties towards the deadline.

Gary Neville questioned Solskjaer's decision to start Maguire during the 4-2 defeat to Leicester and claimed the defender was "absolutely nowhere near fit enough" posing whether Varane's absence at the time had caused the Norwegian to rush the player back.

Paul Scholes also raised concerns about Maguire's fitness after his performance in Bergamo and reckons Varane's absence, after he limped off with a hamstring injury, could be a huge dilemma for Solskjaer.

He said on BT Sport: "When Varane went off, it seemed to go all over the place again.

"They were really shaky, the quality in the middle of the pitch wasn't great again, giving the ball away far too often.

"I don't know if Harry Maguire is still injured or he has got a hangover from the Euros but he doesn't look right. He's not with it at the minute.

"With a performance like that second half, and no Varane on Saturday, it has to be a worry. City will think they have a good chance of winning and with no Varane it makes it more difficult for United."