Two months into the new season and Manchester United’s hierarchy are already looking at ways they can overhaul the squad next summer.
The start to the season has been poor even by United’s recent standards. A leaky defence, one of only two in the Premier League yet to keep a clean sheet this season, has been their undoing once more. It’s a result of an unforgivable lack of investment in that area of the pitch.
United elected to spend all their spare funds on midfielders in the summer, leaving an ageing Luke Shaw as the only recognised left-back, 33-year-old Harry Maguire still required to play multiple times per week and Diogo Dalot as first-choice right-back.
There is a recognition, even among senior figures, that the defence should have been addressed in the summer, The i Paper has been told. As a result, the club’s recruitment team have set the wheels in motion to completely transform the rearguard roster.
Maguire to stay, Martinez and Shaw could leave
It is understood that Lisandro Martinez, even before his explosive rant at director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s hierarchy, was considering leaving at the end of the season.
He was heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid in the summer. The i Paper has been told there remains interest from Atletico and several other Spanish clubs in the Argentine, who favours a move to La Liga, should he leave.
Martinez’s contract expires next year, but United can trigger a one-year contract extension and then command a fee. Several sources suggested that, when you consider United’s recent track record in the transfer sales market, they may just “cut their losses” and get Martinez’s wages off the books, if he prefers to head for the exit.
Maguire is more likely to stay, with the club set to trigger the extra year option on his contract. The England centre-back is a popular dressing room figure, with leadership qualities helping guide youngsters like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro through the pressure of being a United defender.
Shaw’s future is less secure. His contract also runs out at the end of the season, but his hopes of earning an extension rest on being willing to accept lower terms than his current £200,000-a-week salary.
The club will assess how Shaw copes with the more congested calendar this season before they make any decision.
Hall and Truffert targeted, plus at least one centre-back
Everyone at the club, at all levels, recognises United’s hierarchy made a huge misstep in not signing a left-back. Had Lewis Hall been available at a more acceptable price, then he would have arrived early in the summer window.
Newcastle’s price tag and reluctance to sell put paid to any pursuit, but it is understood United will revisit the deal next summer. Sources have told The i Paper that Hall was interested in a move to Old Trafford a few months ago and has not changed that stance.
The pursuit of Hall could bear a resemblance to Carlos Baleba’s signing. United bided their time and got the midfielder for what they feel was a more realistic fee this summer. Co-owners Ineos are keen to maintain their careful approach to the transfer market, given they feel they got their midfield targets for the going rate.
The club are also long-term admirers of Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert, who is tipped to leave the south coast in the summer, as the Cherries’ latest transfer success story. It is understood United are set face plenty of competition for the French full-back’s signature.
Matthijs De Ligt’s fitness will play a big part in United’s central defensive plans. The Dutch defender’s injury woes have dragged on much longer than anyone anticipated, but he was back in the squad for Sunday’s draw at Leeds.
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Should he return to full fitness before the end of the season, club officials hope De Ligt will return to the form he was showing when injury-free last term.
It is understood United will sign at least one central defensive option, with potentially another one arriving should Martinez leave.
Some of Martinez’s frustration is thought to centre around Heaven being deployed as a full-back in last week’s Atletico defeat, a sign of the club’s lack of investment in that area. Heaven is seen as a long-term central option who, alongside Yoro, will grow this season into the role, and begin to form a new central defensive team.
Should results continue on their downward trajectory, senior figures have not ruled out delving into the January market to strengthen the defence.