Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes the club should turn to Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae to compete for a starting berth with Raphael Varane, who he has described as 'fragile'.
Kim, who has been a revelation since joining Napoli from Fenerbahce last July, has been closely linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months following a string of impressive performances in Italy. The South Korean international has made 36 appearances in all competitions and has played a pivotal role in Napoli's dominance in Serie A this season and their run to the Champions League quarter-finals.
United, who strengthened their centre-back options with the signing of Lisandro Martinez last summer, have some big calls to make in central defence over the next few months, with both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire having hinted that they may need to leave Old Trafford to resurrect their careers after falling down the pecking order this season.
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However, Parker believes that Kim would be an ideal shout for the Reds to provide competition for Varane, despite the Frenchman having maintained his fitness a lot better this season than last.
"Kim Min-jae has done excellent for Napoli this season and I would love to see him at Man United," Parker told Kelbet. "Raphael Varane can be a bit fragile sometimes so it would be good with a new player who can compete with him.
"And then Kim Min-jae has to earn his spot in the starting XI. If he is willing to come here and fight for a spot that is not guaranteed, that would be amazing."
Recently, Parker advised United to make a summer move for highly-rated Brighton & Hove Albion ace Kaoru Mitoma, insisting that he would be a good 'PR signing' for the club. He, too, believes the same could be said for Kim.
Parker added: "Kim Min-jae would also be a very good PR signing. Just like Mitoma, who is from Japan, the same applies for a South Korean player. It would be a massive story if a player like him came to Man United.
"Of course, Man United would have to say goodbye to Victor Lindelof as he will have a very tough time with getting games in the future if Kim Min-jae arrives. And of course, Harry Maguire needs to move on.
"Gareth Southgate can't keep picking him [for England] if he doesn't play. For his own sake he also needs to move on if he wants to be seen as an ambitious player. It's unambitious to sit on the bench."
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