With just under two weeks to go until the winter transfer market closes, Manchester United is busy, particularly in its defense. Thus, the English press reveals several information concerning the rearguard of the Mancunian team. Currently in seventh place in the Premier League, the Red Devils are reportedly considering several changes in this sector. If the future of Raphaël Varane seems to be in the short term at Old Trafford, other executives of the squad coached by Erik ten Hag are invited to leave. In this context, ESPN discusses the cases of Victor Lindelöf and Harry Maguire.
According to the British media, the two central defenders of Manchester United could leave the club in the coming weeks. While the Mancunian team is still waiting for the 25% stake of INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be ratified by the Premier League, the 29-year-old Swede and the 30-year-old Englishman will not be retained in the event of important offers. Furthermore, Varane – who has still not extended his contract – also remains a candidate to leave next summer. Same story for Jonny Evans (36 years old) with a lease which will end next June.
A Mancunian defense totally turned upside down!
So many possible departures accelerating the board’s reflection on future reinforcements. ESPN recalls, in this sense, that Manchester United is interested in Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich or even Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice. But that’s not all. Impressed by his performances for Galatasaray, right-back Sacha Boey would also be in the good books of Mancunian management. Besides defense, the Red Devils are also working on the goalkeeper position. With André Onana, number 1 in the hierarchy but currently at CAN with Cameroon, Manchester United could take action for Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. According to Daily Sportivothe Mancuniens would be seduced by the profile of the Transalpine.
Under contract until 2027 with the Biancocelesti, the 29-year-old goalkeeper remains a pillar of the Italian team. If an adjustment to his contract could take place in the coming weeks, Manchester United remains attentive to his situation. One thing is certain, the Red Devils – who have conceded 29 goals in the league since the start of the season and who are regularly criticized for their defensive fragility – are actively preparing for the future. With this in mind, Sir Dave Brailsford recently participated in meetings at Carrington to delineate the new procedure to follow on the transfer window. While appointments to key recruitment positions are expected to take place, director of football John Murtough and manager Erik ten Hag can foresee many changes within the squad.
