Man Utd couldn't sign a better centre-back than Sergio Ramos - Carragher

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Louis van Gaal is reported to have asked for the Madrid defender in a deal to take David de Gea to Spain, and the ex Liverpool centre-back has slammed criticism of the Spaniard

Jamie Carragher does not think Manchester United could sign a better defender than Sergio Ramos in the upcoming transfer window.

Reports emerged on Sunday that Louis van Gaal is hoping to include the Real Madrid vice-captain in a swap deal for goalkeeper David de Gea, with the centre-back later saying he was not worried by the speculation surrounding hit future.

A new defender is a priority for the United coach this summer and the Red Devils had previously been linked with Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi and Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels.

And now it is Ramos - who counts the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and La Liga among his trophy haul - who has emerged as the latest centre-back target, and Carragher believes negativity towards the centre-back is largely unfounded.

"I get a bit wound up by the criticism Ramos gets," Carragher told talkSPORT. "He's won everything, he plays for one of the best clubs in the world and one of the best international sides we've ever seen.

"He is rash at times, he has moments of madness and does get overly emotional in games, that's always been a problem for him, but let's not forget that it's a problem for Wayne Rooney as well."

Ramos has a €180 million buyout clause in a contract which expires in July 2017, but United are reportedly hopeful of taking advantage of extension talks which have stalled.

Carragher continued: "I'm not bothered about whether United sign him or not, or whether he'd be a good signing or not, but if he is not rated as one of the world's best players, who is?

"If his trophy record doesn't give him a bit of credit, what chance have I, or any of the centre-backs in the Premier League?

"I think it's disrespectful – he's won nearly 130 caps for Spain! He's not playing for Mickey Mouse teams. I've heard callers say he hasn't reacted well under pressure and makes mistakes - what defender doesn't make mistakes?

"If a team like Real Madrid could find a better defender, they would, but they don't. Ramos plays every week, they win everything and people still chip away at him and criticise him.

"Top-class centre-backs are a dying breed now, there's very few now compared to years ago. If United don't get Ramos, or don't want to sign him, who else would they get?"