Manchester United may be back in the market for yet another centre back addition come the end of the season as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen.
Manchester United’s investment in central defensive options has been enormous over the years.
In the nearly 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, United have spent considerable cash on defensive additions.
Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were all lured to Old Trafford with varying degrees of success.
More money was spent last year with United paying up to around £100million for Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
Ruben Amorim is now playing a 3-4-2-1 system though and that means depth at centre back is absolutely vital.
Manchester United target struggling after Ruben Amorim exit
Another defender may well be a priority this summer.
Lisandro Martinez has suffered a serious injury and we may not see him in action again until 2026.
Ayden Heaven has joined United from Arsenal but the teenager may not quite be ready for major Premier League action.
United have looked at Castello Lukeba but the RB Leipzig defender may be out of reach this summer.
Amorim may have a name in mind though – and it would involve raiding is former club Sporting.
Reports in November suggested that Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande wanted to join United, following Amorim to Old Trafford.
The Ivorian is right-footed but has played on the left side of defence at times, meaning he can offer depth across the back.
Diomande scored as Sporting drew 2-2 with AVS on Sunday, but he was also sent off as Sporting dropped points in the title race.
The Portuguese media don’t seem too impressed and former Sporting youth coach Joao Prates has suggested that Diomande has committed too many mistakes.
Prates feels that Diomande’s form has been ‘affected’ by Amorim’s move to United, believing that the defender is suffering from instability at the club.
“There are already too many moments in a row, I think it also has to do with some uneasiness at the moment at Sporting,” said Prates whilst speaking to A Bola.
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| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 13 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 26 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 32 | -1 | 33 |
| 14 |  EvertonEverton | 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 33 | -4 | 31 |
| 15 |  Man UtdManchester United | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 37 | -7 | 30 |
| 16 |  West HamWest Ham | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 30 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 26 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 36 | 54 | -18 | 22 |
Manchester City stance on Ousmane Diomande
Diomande may well fancy a reunion with Amorim having impressed under the now-United boss in Lisbon.
There is interest from across Manchester though with City keen on signing the defender.
Sky Sports claim that City have started discussions with Diomande’s agents ahead of a potential summer move.
City’s incoming transfer chief Hugo Viana is arriving from Sporting and knows Diomande very well.
It’s stated that Viana considers Diomande to be one of the ‘most gifted’ defenders of his generation, so a reunion at City would certainly make sense.
Much will depend on how much money United have to spend this summer as, after signing Yoro and De Ligt, focusing the cash on other areas may be more important even if Amorim is a fan of Diomande.
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