Dayot Upamecano can ignore ex-Man United boss' Old Trafford warning and complete new defence

At 17, Dayot Upamecano had the world at his feet with some of Europe's biggest clubs wanting him to join their project.

Among them were Manchester United who had the stature to comfortably turn the head of the teenager. "I was a young boy. I wanted to sign for them straight away," Upamecano admitted in an interview with The Athletic.

"Manchester United! But then my parents took me aside and said: ‘Let’s think carefully about this.'"

In the end, it would be ex-United interim manager Ralf Rangnick who would warn the young Frenchman off the Reds. "We thought about it for a long time and then decided that going ‘etape par etape’ (step by step) was the best option for me," he added. "Everything Ralf said came true."

READ MORE: Building United's dream defence

READ MORE: United transfer state of play as four targets emerge

While it would have been a blow for United to miss out on the talented defender eight years ago, it is hard to argue that the move was not for the best. Upamecano rose through the Red Bull ranks representing Salzburg and Leipzig before eventually signing for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021.

Fast forward to the present day and with 107 appearances for the Bavarian giants under his belt, Upamecano finds himself at a crossroads. L'Equipe reports that the centre-back is weighing up leaving Germany in the summer after a spell which has been fine without hitting the heights of great.

It is believed his profile is sought after by Premier League clubs and it would not be beyond the realms of imagination to suggest that United will be looking at him. Should they get him at the right price, Upamecano would be a solid addition to a defensive line which needs fresh blood.

Raphael Varane's future remains uncertain