Image Credits: Getty Images
Manchester United are overhauling their defence this summer, with Raphael Varane having left at the end of his contract and the Red Devils now making waves in the transfer market.
United are currently making serious moves to sign Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and LOSC Lille’s Leny Yoro, with de Ligt having agreed personal terms and Lille having accepted an initial offer from the Red Devils.
The centre of defence is currently looking to be led by Lisandro Martinez who United have labelled as untouchable this summer, with the Argentinian representing his country alongside teammate Alejandro Garnacho in the Copa America held in the United States this year.
A previous collection of bids and talks for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite who was their initial top defensive target are yet to be successful, despite Branthwaite agreeing personal terms with the club.
Now United are turning to a former player out of contract to provide more support to the defence this coming season.
Despite his contract coming to an end last week, United are still discussing Jonny Evans’ future at the club, considering extending his time at Old Trafford.
Evans was heavily relied upon last year due to United’s injury crisis, with the Northern Ireland international making 30 appearances for the Red Devils during the 2023/24 season.
With United only having Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire as senior centre-backs, the worry comes with Lindelof and Maguire entering the final year of their contracts so the club are considering offers for both players to avoid losing them for free at the end of their contracts. As a result, both Maguire and Lindelof featured in United’s list of priority sales to try and generate transfer funds for their squad rebuild.
If both men were to leave, with de Ligt and Yoro moving to Old Trafford, this would still only leave United with three senior centre-backs and upcoming prospect Willy Kambwala as a fourth option.
As a result, resigning Evans would give Erik ten Hag a further option in case the plague of injuries came back, or to allow further squad rotation to avoid the chances of injuries and fatigue setting in.
