Despite adding two centre-backs to the squad this summer, Manchester United remain in the hunt for further defensive reinforcements due to major injury issues within the squad.
The Red Devils pulled off quite the coup when they landed French wonderkid Leny Yoro from Lille, beating Real Madrid in the transfer race.
However, despite an impressive debut, the 18-year-old suffered a major injury which required surgery and he will be missing for a few months.
Matthijs de Ligt is coming in with a medical scheduled for Monday but Harry Maguire is an injury doubt ahead of the game against Fulham while the club are actively trying to move Victor Lindelof on.
Defender search continues
Erik ten Hag cannot afford to rely too heavily on Jonny Evans while Lisandro Martinez’s minutes needs to be managed carefully due to his poor injury record in the last two seasons.
That is why the 20-time English league champions were in talks with former Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso who is currently a free agent having left Madrid after the conclusion of the previous campaign.
The Spaniard is left-footed, a profile United lack at the moment, and is equally comfortable as the left-sided centre-back and at left-back, meaning he could double up as a backup for the injury-prone Luke Shaw as well.
EXC. El Manchester United desestima la incorporación de Mario Hermoso.
El jugador cuenta con una oferta de Al Shabab desde Arabia Saudí. Solo falta el okay de la administración.
El deseo del jugador es seguir en Europa, pero de momento no hay nada.
C/ @ramirezmaximodc pic.twitter.com/5s94hmreyN
— Eduardo Burgos (@edu17burgos) August 12, 2024
However, latest reports from Spain have indicated that United have rejected the chance to sign the 2021 La Liga winner who looks set to complete a switch to the Saudi Pro League instead.
Al Shabab have submitted their offer and while the Spain international would prefer to remain in Europe, no team has come forward with a concrete proposal as yet.
Hermoso not coming to OT
“Manchester United reject the signing of Mario Hermoso. The player has an offer from Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia,” AS reporter Eduardo Burgos wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“All that is needed is the approval of the administration. The player’s desire is to stay in Europe, but at the moment there is nothing.”
There are rumours floating that United could yet go back in for Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton and in that case, leaving Hermoso out makes sense.
But the Toffees star is expected to cost a bomb and INEOS are not exactly flush with cash at the moment. How Ten Hag deals with injury problems at the back will go a long way in determining the club’s fate this season.
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