Manchester United could nab Barca defender…with the help of Carles Puyol

Manchester United's backline could be about to get a whole lot more handsome.

Reports in Spain claim that Barcelona's highly-rated and ridiculously good-looking Marc Bartra could be tempted away from Catalonia, due to a lack of first team opportunities. The graduate of Barca's famous La Masia academy is a popular figure amongst fans with his superb reading of the game and classy use of the ball. Not to mention his dreamy come-to-bed eyes. But he has not been given a fair crack of the whip at the Nou Camp, with midfielders used as auxiliary defenders when the first choice options are unavailable. Indeed Bartra has only made around 50 appearances since 2010. Now, at the age of 24, the 6-footer may be ready to move on to further his stalled career elsewhere. According to Mundo Deportivo, his destination could be Old Trafford. They report that Louis van Gaal is interested in signing the talented stopper, and could be helped out by the player's new agent - Barca legend Carles Puyol. Puyol is keen to get his new client's career kick-started with a move away from La Liga. The shaggy-haired Barca icon is old friends with Van Gaal, and Mundo Deportivo suggest he could do his old boss a favour by convincing the player to move. Bartra himself has previously stated that he enjoys the 'anarchy' of English football. "I like to watch the Premier League. English football is a little anarchic, full of one-v-ones. I like that," he told FourFourTwo.