Manchester United are starting to draw up a shortlist of centre-backs to provide more reliable cover in the heart of defence with Lisandro Martinez facing another extended layoff.
Martinez is set to miss his fourth consecutive match on Sunday against Aston Villa with a calf injury he picked up last month.
Coupled with the mystery around Matthijs de Ligt’s back injury – the Dutchman has been out for three months with no return date in sight – plans are afoot to address the situation.
The i Paper has been told that despite centre-back not previously being a priority position to strengthen in the summer transfer window, the focus being a new left-back, left winger and at least one central midfielder – yet more injury setbacks have forced the club’s hierarchy to draw up a list of potential defensive reinforcements.
The identification process is still in its infancy, but Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian defender Murillo features, The i Paper understands. The 23-year-old has the “perfect blend” of youth and Premier League experience without the ego, one source added, with new co-owners looking for the type of player who can handle the big stage, without the baggage that comes with more marquee names.
Murillo is not understood to be agitating for a move as yet, having only signed a new deal until 2029 last January, but Forest’s hand could be forced if they are relegated. Should United or another interested party – Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid are understood to be monitoring the Brazilian – make their move, it is thought his mind can be changed.
Maguire has been key to United’s renaissance under Michael Carrick (Photo: Getty)United’s injury issues also push Harry Maguire towards a new contract. The veteran England defender has, alongside Martinez, been crucial to United’s revival since Michael Carrick took charge, with his experience, several sources said, pivotal to keeping the dressing room together.
No decision has been made over whether the 33-year-old will be offered a new deal yet, but The i Paper understands a proposed contract on a reduced salary, down from £190,000-a-week to around £100,000, is being considered.
The player is understood to be willing to consider the reduced terms. One potential sweetener could be offering Maguire a two-year deal instead of one, the club’s preference for an ageing star. Should no agreement be found and Maguire seeks pastures new, another centre-back will be a must.
Youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are seen as the future of United’s defence, with the plan to embed both slowly. Martinez and Maguire’s partnership has allowed for that to happen, but the Argentine, who has been plagued by injuries since joining United, has again proven unreliable in terms of fitness and dependability.
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De Ligt is a more bizarre case. His back injury was only thought to be a small setback, but week after week, Carrick is having to explain why the Dutch defender – one of United’s standout performers this term prior to his injury – is again absent.
“Matthijs has had a back issue which has been a bit slow to progress,” Carrick said a few weeks ago. “It’s something we’ve been working through, he’s in the right direction but a bit further behind. It’s the nature of the injury, the issue in the back. It’s a difficult one to pin down time wise. He’s definitely improving.”
A fully fit pairing of De Ligt and Martinez are arguably United’s first choice pairing. Keeping either of them fit for any length of time is the hard part. Long-term injury absentees in key positions could be the difference between challenging for titles again or further years in the wilderness. Unless the issue is addressed in the summer.
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