Manchester United may look to overhaul their defence this summer and allow two long-serving players to leave if substantial bids are received, a new report has claimed.
The Red Devils are waiting for INEOS’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led 25% minority investment into the club to be formally ratified, which will signify a changing of the guard in terms of decision making at Old Trafford.
A new football department will be put in place at United, tasked with overhauling the club’s haphazard decision making in the transfer market, and key additions will likely be made by INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford in regards to recruitment.
90min understands that outgoings will be the first order of business at United – essentially clearing Erik ten Hag’s squad of deadwood players taking up space on the wage bill – but there will be attempts made to strengthen the squad ahead of next season.
Overhauling the club’s defence is a possibility for United, ESPN report, with conversations said to have been held about both incomings and outgoings.
Maguire and Lindelof are named as two potential casualties should United receive sizeable bids, alongside Jonny Evans – he’s out of contract in the summer after joining as a free agent last year. Raphael Varane’s future in Manchester is also uncertain, although 90min has learned that the former World Cup winner, who is interesting clubs in Saudi Arabia, could also be offered a new contract on reduced terms.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Matthijs de Ligt and Jean-Clair Todibo are touted as three potential transfer targets for United, with the latter a player currently playing for French side OGC Nice – the club also under Ratcliffe ownership.
Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey could be on the club’s radar after impressing against United in the Champions League this season, and any arrival in that position could signal the end of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s career at United – he’s previously been linked with Crystal Palace in a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Michael Olise.
90min understands that United are also looking to improve their forward options. Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee is a player the Red Devils like – as do Arsenal – and the Dutchman will be tracked until the end of the season ahead of a potential summer bid.
There’s also short-term fixes under consideration, with veteran Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting among the players discussed as a potential understudy to Rasmus Hojlund.
