Throughout the first few months of the summer window, it has felt like a case of one or the other at Manchester United.
With Leny Yoro in the building and Manchester United in the market for further defensive reinforcements – the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof has looked bleak
Ineos operate under a cloak of relative secrecy these days – a deal for Yoro went from unlikely to completed in the space of just 48 hours – truly no one knows what is coming next at Man United.
This is no longer the Glazer era, when transfers were dragged out for months as early excitement turned inevitably to frustration.
But after spending a combined fee in the region of £90 million for Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, there is an acknowledgement that Man United will have to raise funds via player sales if they are to bring in further centre-halves.
Interest in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite remains – either a Maguire or a Lindelof would probably have to say their goodbyes first.
But, after one broke their silence this week, the other feels more vulnerable to the axe now than ever.
Harry Maguire likely to stay at Manchester United
It’s testament to Maguire’s unexpected career revival in 2023/24 that most Red Devils supporters would happily pay for Lindelof’s petrol if they were given the choice between the two long-serving centre-halves.
Albeit due to Lisandro Martinez’s absence, Maguire was arguably Man United’s most consistent defensive performer last term.
His vast experience, two-footedness, physical prowess and his ability to act as a mentor to 18-year-old Yoro means that, while Maguire’s playing time is likely to be reduced going forward, his importance should stay unscathed.
“Unless the club tell me I’m up for sale or I’m not wanted there anymore,” Maguire told Sky Sports on Friday, indicating that he is more likely than not to remain a Man United player in 2024/25.
“Everything I’ve heard and the action I’ve been shown from the club, I’m part of the future and it is time to crack on and make this club successful again, challenging for the big trophies.
“That’s what this club demands.”
Victor Lindelof facing Old Trafford exit
What, then, does this mean for the aforementioned Lindelof?
Talks with Fenerbahce reportedly started in June, per The Telegraph. But, despite the appointment of his former United boss Jose Mourinho in Istanbul, progress has been slow.
Still, there is a feeling that Man United will welcome offers for a man who could begin the coming campaign behind Martinez, Yoro, Maguire and even Jonny Evans, even if no new centre-half is forthcoming between now and September 1st.
Lindelof, like Maguire, can play on both sides at centre-half and also brings added versatility. He filled in on the left at times last term.
But with his price-tag much lower than Maguire’s – rumoured to be around £7 million – and the interest from Turkey serious if still at the early stages, Lindelof looks to be the Man United defender most at risk of Ineos’ brutal overhaul.
Maguire’s comments only further support this theory.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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