The Mail report Manchester United captain Harry Maguire’s future is being plunged into doubt by the club’s transfer plans.
The report states the club are ‘planning to sign a world-class centre-back’ in the upcoming transfer window.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger are named as potential candidates, with the latter available on a free transfer.
United did sign a world class defender a year ago, adding Raphael Varane, and there is a real selection battle going on over who should partner him.
Victor Lindelof partnered Varane against Watford, although Maguire started against Atletico Madrid. United have big games upcoming against Manchester City, Atletico, and Tottenham, and big decisions lie ahead for Ralf Rangnick.
The Times reported today that United players have questioned Maguire’s role as a regular starter in the team.
Can United spend big on a centre-back?
The Mail‘s report also says Eric Bailly and Phil Jones face uncertain futures. Between them they have started a combined two Premier League games this season.
Axel Tuanzebe also has a bleak future after two poor loan spells at Aston Villa and Napoli, so it is likely he is moved on too.
The decision will rest with United’s next manager, but Maguire’s inconsistent form this season has been cause for concern.
Bigger priorities for United will be signing a defensive midfielder and a striker. A right-back and a winger may also be needed.
If United can sign Rudiger on a free transfer, who The Sun report Ralf Rangnick is a big fan of, then this would solve the problem and still leave money to spare for other positions. Barcelona defender Araujo also has a contract which expires next summer, decreasing his value.
90Min named Wolves’ Max Kilman as a target for United last month with Rangnick a fan, although he would be costly after recently signing a new deal.
Dortmund duo Manuel Akanji [BILD] and Dan-Axel Zagadou [Fussball Transfers] have also been linked with cheap moves to United due to their contract situations, but both would be more signings for squad depth, than the ‘world class’ addition United reportedly want.
Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile is another long term United target worth keeping an eye on.
It could be that United are targeting a player not even mentioned yet, while a new boss, potentially Erik Ten Hag, will have his own thoughts.
Perhaps this is just the media cranking up the pressure on Harry Maguire, ahead of a pivotal derby game this weekend.
The United centre-back needs a big performance if selected, to show the media, his own fans, his manager, and his teammates, what he is capable of.
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