Exclusive: International defender’s future at Man United not affected by interest in towering Dutchman

If there’s one area where Man United need to concentrate their efforts in the transfer window, it’s in defence.

Time and again in the current campaign Erik ten Hag has been let down by his back four, and if the Red Devils really do want to get back to winning silverware on a regular basis then they need to have a rock-solid foundation at the back.

In the Champions League particularly in 2023/24, they conceded far too many and, in fact, the 15 that they did ship was a record for an English team in the group stages of the competition.

Of course, it will take time to get everything right and it’s a situation that can’t be rushed.

Man United need to get their defence right to challenge for trophies

Once the new sporting director is finally in place and new Man United part-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has decided with his INEOS team whether ten Hag is the man to take the first-team forward, only then can the rebuild truly begin.

One player that has really blossomed of late at the club and shown the Old Trafford faithful what hard work and belief can do is England international, Harry Maguire.

Thought to be close to moving to West Ham last summer, Maguire has once again cemented his place at the heart of the defence after being dropped by his manager.

News that United are looking at Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt – ten Hag’s captain at Ajax – might’ve been cause for concern for the Englishman, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Maguire doesn’t need to worry.

“Matthijs de Ligt will wait to understand who’s gonna be the new manager at Bayern Munich before deciding anything regarding his future,” he said in his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.

“Everything is open with Tuchel leaving so it’s very quiet now. There have been rumours about Barcelona and Man United but nothing is serious or concrete with any clubs in Spain or England yet.

“Many clubs are attentive to his situation but nothing else.

“Sticking with United, from Harry Maguire’s point of view, it’s always been the same in the last year.

“The club are open to important proposals… or they’re happy with him staying. They’re not desperate to sell Maguire.

“Also in this case, we have to wait for a new director to arrive, and then Man United will decide how to proceed regarding many players.”