ILLIA Zabarnyi could be the answer to Manchester United’s search for a centre-back, according to former Ukraine international Yevhen Levchenko.

Zabarnyi was one of Cherries’ standout performers in 2023-24, playing every minute of Premier League action, bar one match he missed due to illness.

The centre-back arrived from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, for a fee of around £24million, penning a contract until the summer of 2028.

After a slow start at the club initially, largely due to injury issues, the 21-year-old nailed down his spot in the heart of the defence under Andoni Iraola.

Despite his tender age, Zabarnyi already has 34 caps for Ukraine and is set to compete with his country at the European Championship in Germany later this month.

Discussing the centre-back in an interview with OLBG, Levchenko said: “Illia Zabarnyi is quite young but he's already played 34 games for the national team and he never gives up, he never does stupid things and he's so reliable which is important.

“He has made the step to Bournemouth and I don’t think that will be the last step in his career. He is growing quite well and taking that first step was so important.

“Could he move to Manchester United? I think he is ready for it.

“Most people haven’t yet realised how strong he is and he could perform even better in a stronger team and in my opinion he is ready.”

Levchenko, 46, retired from playing in 2012 after ending his career in Australia with Adelaide United.

He spent most of his career playing in the Netherlands, becoming a Dutch citizen and after retiring when on to work in football administration.

Ukraine have been drawn in a Euro 2024 group alongside Romania, Slovakia and Belgium.