United will be in the market for a new goalkeeper should current No 1 David de Gea move to Real Madrid as expected this summer

Manchester United, he claims, no longer fall into this bracket and have few qualities to elevate themselves above Tottenham

According to former France manager Raymond Domenech, Hugo Lloris should only leave Tottenham for a 'big' European club

Hugo Lloris has been urged to quit Tottenham to play in the Champions League – just not for Manchester United because they're not a 'big' club.

The France goalkeeper is widely considered one of the world's finest in his position but Spurs have failed to secure Champions League football in each of his three seasons in London.

Former France manager Raymond Domenech gave Lloris his international debut against Uruguay in 2008; since then he has won over 60 caps and been made captain.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been advised only to leave White Hart Lane for a 'big' club

The France captain has firmly established himself as one of the best players in his position in recent years

Former France boss Raymond Domenech does not believe Manchester United are big enough for Lloris

If current United stopper David de Gea leaves the club for Real Madrid, then they will need a replacement

If, as expected, United's present first-choice David de Gea joins Real Madrid, manager Louis van Gaal will need a new goalkeeper.

He has the budget to afford Lloris, who would be among his first targets, but Domenech believes the goalkeeper would be wasting his time. Unlike rivals Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal, the manager says United are no longer big enough.

'I have no decision to take for him, but in my opinion he has to play in Chelsea, Arsenal, or Manchester City, to play in the European Cup,' he said.

'Tottenham is a big club – it is not the biggest. Manchester United qualified for the Champions League, but I can't see really the difference with Tottenham.

'For me, it's Chelsea, Arsenal, or Manchester City. Because I think Manchester United is no more a big club, in England, for me. I think like that.

'I think Arsenal will be every time a big club, Chelsea also – City is becoming a big club – but I think United is with Tottenham, with the other clubs. Not one of the biggest clubs, so there's no difference.

'For me, he's a great goalkeeper so he needs to be in the best English club, or French, or Italian, or German.'

Domenech has caused a stir by suggesting that there is little to discern between Spurs and United

Former United midfielder Paul Pogba, now with Juventus, is another of Europe's most sought-after players.

Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said this week that the Italians had rejected a £57m offer for Pogba from Barcelona, despite the midfielder costing them only £800k in compensation when his United contract expired in 2012.

Regardless, the figures involved do not surprise Domenech; the Frenchman believes his compatriot is worth as much as the world's most expensive player, the £86m Gareth Bale.

'£80m, £50m, £10m – there's no more difference after that,' Domenech said.

'It means nothing. What you saw with Real Madrid paying €100m for Gareth Bale, you say for a player like Pogba you can give the same, no problem.

'In my opinion he can play in Italy, in Spain, in England. He would be the best in all the teams.'