Release Varane and sign Branthwaite - building Man United's dream defence

No area of the pitch has been as unsettled this season as Manchester United's defence, a claim that the stats bear out. Seven different defenders have played more than 1,000 minutes this term, a number that doesn't include Lisandro Martinez, who will expect to reach that tally if he can remain injury-free between now and the end of May.

So deciphering what exactly is Erik ten Hag's first-choice back four isn't easy. It's even more complicated when looking ahead to the summer and the uncertainty that clouds the defence, in the centre especially. The only centre-back guaranteed to remain at the club is Martinez. He will hope that will change next season but what is certain to change is the identity of the players available for selection. Varane might have played more than any other central defender this term, but he is out of contract this summer and is yet to sign a new deal.

Evans, 36, has played more often than anyone expected and has proved a reliable performer. His deal expires in the summer as well but United could make a late call on the former academy graduate, depending on the incomings and outgoings.

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