United have ‘refused to rule out’ additional CB signings as they actively try to shift £120k p/w star

Manchester United have just announced their second signing of the summer after successfully hijacking Real Madrid’s pursuit of Leny Yoro.

The Frenchman was thought to have his heart set on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu this window amidst interest from United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, when Madrid were unwilling to meet Lille’s valuation due to Yoro having one year remaining on his deal, the Reds tried their luck by submitting a £52 million bid – which was swiftly accepted. It took a few days of deliberation for the teenager, but he ultimately decided to make the switch to the 20-time champions.

Manchester Evening News has now followed up tonight’s official press release from the club with a report to put fans’ minds at ease in regards to additional centre-back acquisitions.

Given that Erik ten Hag has seen his selection lessened following the exits of Raphael Varane and, earlier this week, Willy Kambwala, it now leaves Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans as centre-half options. Should a debilitating injury crisis akin to last season’s strike again, you can’t help but worry that there isn’t enough depth to cover the jam-packed schedule.

Read more: Leny Yoro poised to take iconic shirt number at Old Trafford

United still scouring centre-half market

Yet, Samuel Luckhurst claims United have ‘refused to rule out’ more arrivals to bolster the position, with both Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite being heavily targeted by INEOS chiefs.

In turn, the board are hoping to sanction the exit of Lindelof, 30, who is out of contract in 2025. He has struggled with frequent injury woes over the past year and now poses the last opportunity for the club to recuperate a respectable fee from his sale.