Man Utd have been strongly linked with Matthijs de Ligt this summer (Image: Getty)
Manchester United are expected to accelerate their transfer business over the coming weeks. The Red Devils, who have finalised their sporting structure under INEOS over the past few days, will be one of the more interesting stories to follow as the transfer window develops.
Defensive reinforcements are extremely likely. Head coach Erik ten Hag, who has been handed a new deal at Old Trafford, saw his squad suffer from an injury crisis which prevented him from naming a regular back four last season.
Raphael Varane has departed, Lisandro Martinez struggled with his fitness last season, while there will remain doubts over Harry Maguire’s future. Ten Hag needs a dependable centre-back pairing, with Martinez rarely able to be called upon last season despite being one of the club’s best options.
United have been strongly linked with Matthijs de Ligt. It was reported in the Dutch media that the defender has been offered a contract by the Premier League club. The Mirror claim that Ten Hag has spoken with the 24-year-old, who he coached at Ajax.
A move for De Ligt is widely understood to be separate to a pursuit of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. United saw a £35million bid rejected by the Toffees earlier this summer but are expected to go back in with another proposal.
Everton value Branthwaite at £70m. They have seen defenders such as Wesley Fofana and Josko Gvardiol move in recent seasons for relatively similar fees. United are likely to want to pay a much smaller sum.
Ten Hag needs a defensive midfielder following the departure of loanee Sofyan Amrabat and the possible exit of Casemiro, who struggled for form last season. During discussions with Everton over Branthwaite, Red Devils chiefs may also enquire about a potential deal for Amadou Onana.
United have been linked with the Belgian, who shone at Euro 2024. Onana, for whom Everton wanted £90m in January, would go into a midfield where Ten Hag will be desperate to keep Mason Mount fit, while Kobbie Mainoo will build on the momentum of a wonderful breakthrough campaign.
Man Utd can bolster their midfield with the addition of Amadou Onana (Image: Getty)
In attack, United need another forward to complement Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. Lille’s Jonathan David, who is valued at £42m by data website Transfermarkt, is a versatile star who can play on both wings or through the middle.
Funding moves for the quartet would be tough but doable. Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho are widely expected to leave United this summer. There have also been reports of interest in Marcus Rashford, who may benefit from a change of scenery.
The four potential arrivals would be excellent additions to Ten Hag’s squad and help the Dutchman elevate United back among the contenders for major trophies.
Man Utd’s dream line-up for 2024-25: Onana, Dalot, De Ligt, Branthwaite, Shaw, Onana, Mount, Mainoo, David, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1920022/matthijs-de-ligt-erik-ten-hag-man-utd-dream-line-up