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Harry Maguire and Casemiro’s partnership at the heart of Manchester United’s defence has surprisingly impressed.
The pair even came close to keeping a clean sheet in their last Old Trafford outing, only for Andre Onana to crash into a Burnley star, leading to a spot-kick and an eventual equaliser late in the game.
The Brazilian has been paired alongside the experienced Englishman due to an injury crisis at Man United, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Willy Kambwala all unavailable.
Regardless, everyone acknowledges this is not a long-term solution. In fact, even with all the aforementioned centre-backs available, United’s backline appear inferior in front of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
The club’s hierarchy recognise this and have reportedly prioritised bringing in a defender.
The Times claim Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi features on their shortlist alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman.
United are joined by Arsenal in the race for England international Guéhi, who has two years left on his contract in South London. Both clubs have scouted him.
Palace, who have been rejuvenated with the arrival of Oliver Glasner, fear that the 23-year-old is likely to leave at the end of the season.
However, the former Chelsea star, whom Palace signed for £18 million, is expected to cost more than £55 million.
The 23-year-old central defender has grown from strength to strength since leaving Chelsea for Palace in 2021. His arrival should certainly improve United’s backline, but whether Ineos would be happy to splurge north of £50m for him remains unclear.
Further, the Old Trafford outfit have also “considered trying” to sign his teammate, Michael Olise.
The 22-year-old winger, capable of doing the job on both flanks, is considered an ideal option by many to replace the struggling Antony, who bagged his first league goal of the season over the weekend in his 27th appearance.
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