Speaking on Reach PLC’s Transfer Window podcast, Ian McGarry says United attempted to use Pogba as part of the deal late in the day.

McGarry said: “The Transfer Window has learnt that during the conversations in Glasgow between representatives of Madrid and Manchester United with regards to Raphael Varane’s transfer, Pobgba was offered as part of the deal in order, again, to bring down the transfer fee or indeed eliminate the transfer fee, given that it’s €50m.

“You would have to expect that Pogba’s value with one year left on his contract would be around that mark, if not even maybe less.

“It would depend how much Madrid valued trying to recruit the player.”