Manchester United prepared to spend £100million in January to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid

JOSE MOURINHO will be handed a £100million transfer warchest in January in a bid to land Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports.

The Manchester United boss is hoping Madrid's turmoil on the pitch will convince the Frenchman to swap the Bernabeu for Old Trafford.

Real Madrid's stunning 5-1 defeat against Barcelona on Sunday saw them drop to ninth with just four wins from their opening ten matches.

And United are looking to take advantage with Mourinho desperate to sign a new central defender to solve his woes at the back.

United have conceded 17 goals this season, three more than 19th-placed Newcastle.

Varane has been a long-term target of the manager, who attempted to land him in the summer.

The Guardian report that Mourinho will be trusted with yet another load of cash which confirms the club's intentions to let him try to turn around United's fortunes.

Varane, 25, is believed to be the club's first choice but Harry Maguire remains an option.

Mourinho is ready to fork out £60million for the Leicester defender, as revealed exclusively by SunSport. 

United's need for a new central defender was emphasised on Sunday when Chris Smalling conceded a penalty following a terrible tackle in the box.

United will also look to sign a striker to take the pressure off goal-shy Romelu Lukaku, who was relegated to the bench yesterday.