The last thing Manchester United need right now is a deal for a defender collapsing.
The Red Devils rounded off their pre-season tour of the United States with a 3-0 loss against arch-rivals Liverpool.
Despite the bitter result, there were glimpses of promise from Erik ten Hag‘s side – at least going forward, anyway.
A backline of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Amass was certainly less impressive, and it highlighted exactly why United needs more defensive reinforcements as soon as possible.
The excitement around £52million signing Leny Yoro was quickly dampened after a metatarsal injury forced him to the sidelines for the next three months.
A deal for Jarrad Branthwaite remains on the cards, and United also submitted a double bid for Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
But the deals are not progressing as quickly as fans would want and the Community Shield clash against Manchester City is now less than a week away.
Erik ten Hag needlessly risked £21m deal
United have made a breakthrough in their push to sign Mazraoui with the 26-year-old set for a medical according to reports.
It is reported that the total agreement for Noussair Mazraoui is worth 25million Euros (£21million).
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has agreed terms to join West Ham and Mazraoui is set to be his replacement at Old Trafford.
However, the Hammers are yet to finalise a deal for Wan-Bissaka and it came scarily close to collapsing during United’s friendly against Liverpool on Sunday morning.
Wan-Bissaka required treatment on the field with 10 minutes remaining. He was eventually replaced by James Scanlon but bizarrely played the most minutes of any United player.
Ten Hag has addressed Wan Bissaka’s injury, which – had it been more serious – could have put his move to West Ham in jeopardy.
If Wan-Bissaka was injured and unable to complete a move to West Ham, it would have also put the deal for Mazraoui in doubt.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka role doesn’t make sense
It is a case of deja vu for United as they once again find themselves stretched for defensive options.
With no obvious first-team replacements for Wan-Bissaka at right-back, it makes sense that he played a part against Liverpool.
But to play the most minutes of any player when clearly not a part of Ten Hag’s plans is baffling – and it was nearly very costly.
READ MORE: Noussair Mazraoui makes farewell appearance amid Manchester United medical claim
United need this deal with West Ham to go through, and Wan-Bissaka should be covered in bubble wrap until the deal is finalised.
After Mazraoui is signed, attention must quickly turn to a new centre-back arrival.
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