Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Pallister believes manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should consider signing Bournemouth centre-half Nathan Ake this summer.

Rivals Manchester City are said to be keen on signing the Dutch international, with reports in recent days suggesting they are closing in on a £41m switch for the former Chelsea player.

However, Pallister thinks United should also make a move for Ake to give Solskjaer another option at the back:

“I like Ake. I think he looks the part. He looks a physically strong lad, he’s got pace, he’s not bad on the ball. I think he was linked with City – they’re obviously looking for another centre-half, they’ve had problems at the back. So who knows.”

“But he’s someone I’ve looked at, at Bournemouth, and I’ve been impressed by him. For me, he looks the part.”

Solskjaer’s chat with Ake after the 5-2 win at Old Trafford earlier this month did spark reports that United could well make a move for the 25-year-old. In the conversation, the United boss suggested he needed a left-sided centre-half.

That has been backed up by claims in recent days that the Red Devils are keeping tabs on Villarreal’s Pau Torres, who is also a left-footed centre-back. It will be interesting to see whether United do actually challenge City to sign Ake in the coming days.