Manchester United have identified Nice defender Melvin Bard as an option to fill the club’s problem position at left-back.
Bard has impressed in a Nice side pushing for Champions League qualification in Ligue 1 and is being scouted ahead of a potential move to the Premier League in the summer.
Nice are owned by Ineos, who recently completed a minority takeover of Manchester United, and negotiations are expected to be straightforward should the Red Devils firm up their initial interest.
The 23-year-old has formed part of a Nice team with the second-best defensive record in French football this season and is pushing for a maiden France call-up ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
The Standard are reporting he is on the radar of Manchester United, who have struggled at left-back during the current campaign.
Luke Shaw has suffered a series of setbacks and has made just 12 appearances in the Premier League this season. The England international is currently sidelined with a muscular issue and is facing a race against time to feature at Euro 2024 in the summer.
Fellow left-back Tyrell Malacia is yet to make an appearance during the current campaign and last featured on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.
United also want to sign at least one new centre-back in the summer window and hold a long-term interest in Bard’s Nice teammate, Jean-Clair Todibo.
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