From Spain: Manchester United have rejected the opportunity to sign 29 y/o ‘incredible’ free agent

While Manchester United must cover all bases depth-wise heading into the new campaign, they’re uninterested in signing players just for the sake of it.

As such, a fresh update from Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos this morning claims that the Red Devils have rebuffed the chance to sign free agent Mario Hermoso following his release from Atletico Madrid.

The ‘incredible’ 29-year-old, who is a product of Real Madrid’s academy system, has spent his entire career in Spain, more recently spending five years with Atletico and racking up 174 appearances under Diego Simeone. He played an integral role in their 2020/2021 La Liga title-winning campaign.

Reports had suggested that Hermoso was specifically offered to United, presumably due to their widely-covered need for backline depth; he can play both centre-back and left-back, which are two positions that have been plagued by injuries over the past year.

Read more: Romano – ‘Keep an eye’ on 52-cap United ace’s situation, he could be sold before deadline day

Reds close in on two defensive acquisitions

Yet, INEOS chiefs have instead pursued their own targets in the form of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui – both of whom are expected to finalise their moves today after completing their medicals at Carrington.

The Bayern Munich duo will put pen to paper on five-year contracts, plus the option of an additional season.