Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to sign a defender when the transfer window reopens. The Red Devils go into today’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea having shipped 32 goals from 25 matches this term. And they’re keen to improve their squad at the end of the campaign.
Liverpool and Everton are the only two teams in the top half of the table to concede more league goals than United.
The Red Devils did ship 11 in their opening three matches but, over the course of the campaign, have looked vulnerable at the back.
That’s something Solskjaer is aware of and exactly why the Norwegian is keen to take action when the transfer window reopens this summer.
A long-term partner for Harry Maguire is being eyed, with the likes of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly blowing hot and cold over the course of the campaign.
And The Sun have named United’s three targets for that area ahead of the summer transfer window.
Sevilla star Jules Kounde makes the list.
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A new right winger is being considered, despite the arrival of Amad from Atalanta in January, and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho could be pursued again.
His team-mate, Erling Haaland, is of interest amid Anthony Martial’s struggles up top.
And United continue to be linked with Declan Rice, with Chelsea not expected to chase the West Ham star at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, former Red Devils star Paul Parker recently had his say on Solskjaer’s current crop of defenders – and took aim at Maguire, branding him ‘selfish’.
“Despite the position that Manchester United find themselves in the Premier League, they still need to strengthen in the transfer market this summer,” Parker told The Sun.
“Regarding the centre-backs, people talk about bringing in a new partner for Harry Maguire, but I would look at bringing in two centre-backs, why can’t it be a player who comes in and plays alongside Victor Lindelof?
“Harry Maguire is not a leader, he plays the game for himself, he sits way too deep, he dribbles for the sake of dribbling and runs himself into cul-de-sacs.
“The goal against Sheffield United, he put David De Gea in a terrible position, and he made a terrible clearance which people then blamed the goalkeeper.”
“Sometimes you need to look at the build-up to see the mistakes,” the pundit added.
“I have always been unsure about Maguire since the day Manchester United signed him. When they paid £80million, the club didn’t buy an £80million centre back, it was great business by Leicester.
“Bringing in competition for places always helps players to improve their game. You look at Luke Shaw this season, he has really upped his game since the signing of Alex Telles.”
