Real Madrid have offered Chilean defender Ezequiel Garay to Manchester United on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Garay joined Real in the summer from former club Racing Santander but has struggled to hold down a first team spot with Los Blancos under coach Manuel Pellegrini.

The 26-year-old now wants out and according to the Daily Mirror, the Spanish giants have offered Manchester United the option of taking Garay on loan until the end of the season.

With Manchester United currently suffering from an injury-crisis coach Sir Alex Ferguson may opt to take up the offer of a loan, as he seeks a stop-gap solution.

Garay headed home the winner on Saturday night as Real Madrid defeated Valencia 3-2 at the Mestalla to keep the pressure on table-toppers Barcelona, who beat Espanyol 1-0 at the Camp Nou.