Ineos can overhaul Man Utd defence for £25m less than Harry Maguire cost by making three smart signings - opinion

This summer will see lots of movement in and out of Manchester United, but it’s the centre-back position which needs the most attention.

The centre-backs at Erik ten Hag‘s disposal this season, are a group which can do with some serious strengthening.

Most of the options at Manchester United aren’t good enough and/or are ageing thus becoming injury-prone.

Hence, this upcoming transfer window could see as many as four names leave, so an overhaul will be needed.

With names flying around which could end up costing United north of £50m, the budget to strengthen the entire team wouldn’t go far if those were the targets.

Considering how many players United need this summer, Ineos might need to be smart in order to overhaul the department.

So with that in mind, here are three signings which could turn out to be masterstrokes, all for around £25m less than the £80m for Harry Maguire.

Three signings to overhaul Manchester United’s defence

Ineos can be very smart this summer and bring in a trio of centre-halves who are all at different stages in their careers.

Firstly a starter does need to be signed, a right-footed defender who is aerially dominant and strong in defence to partner with Lisandro Martinez.

The name we think could be perfect for this is Jean-Clair Todibo.

The French international and captain of Ineos-owned Nice perfectly fits the bill of what United are lacking in defence. He’s young, tall, strong, quick and importantly solid on the ball too.

With a price tag of £40m according to Fabrizio Romano, Todibo represents the best value for money on the market and hands the team exactly what it’s lacking in defence – he’s also a long-term target that Ineos love.

But even if the starting pair is strengthened, United’s squad defenders aren’t at the level required and with Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof both looking likely to depart, a new option is needed.

For this role, United could shop in the free agents market and find Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Fulham defender would be free of a price tag this summer and is expected to make the step up, and as HITC Football reports United could be an option.

Adarabioyo has enjoyed a remarkable campaign with Fulham which has seen him outperform England’s centre-backs which could even see him in with an outside chance of heading to the Euros.

The final name on the agenda to complete the overhaul for just £55m could be Boca Juniors youngster Aaron Anselmino, who’s looking more and more likely to make a move to United for just £15m.

At 18, he’d be one for the future, but also one who’d be invaluable to have in the squad, with possible loans to Nice or Lausanne to develop him.

While this may not be the Jarrad Branthwaite or Antonio Silva that many want, these three signings could be shrewd and improve United’s defence ten-fold.

Ten Hag could have a sold centre-half group

Yes, these three wouldn’t be dream signings for United, they’d be additions who have high potential, are excellent already or have Premier League experience.

Assuming these three arrive, we’d expect Ten Hag to have options like this next season:

This group is significantly stronger and more capable of improving and playing in a manner that United should be, playing on the front foot.