Jose Mourinho is in the market for a new defender ahead of this Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Bayern Munich defender Boateng has emerged as a candidate since United’s 1-0 pre-season loss to the Bundesliga giants on Sunday.
And Hislop believes the Germany international is the type of player the Red Devils need.
“They need a centre-back at Manchester United, they need a leader at centre-back,” he said.
“If you look at United and their options in that position, they have quite a few they can call on.
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“They’ve got (Chris) Smalling, (Phil) Jones, (Victor) Lindelof, (Eric) Bailly, (Marcos) Rojo. But of that lot, for me only Jones is a real leader.
“So they need somebody to bring the best out of the others. There’s talent there, but there’s just no leadership.
“Maybe he’s (Boateng) not the centre-back he once was, but maybe he makes those around him better. That’s needed.”
Hislop was then asked who United should sign from a list of five centre-backs.
The list included Leicester’s Harry Maguire, Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, Barcelona’s Yerry Mina, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez and Boateng.
Hislop was unequivocal in his response, replying: “Boateng.
“Everybody else on that list, as talented as they may be, they don’t tick the leadership box for me, including Toby Alderweireld, who Manchester United were heavily linked with.
“My issue with the others, money aside, it’s about getting the best out of the others there and I don’t think anybody else on that list does that.”