- Man Utd remain linked with defensive recruitment
- Matthijs de Ligt & Noussair Mazraoui options to strengthen
- Developments at Bayern Munich could help approaches
Manchester United have been handed a potential boost in their summer pursuits of both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui due to Bayern Munich's own ongoing transfer plans.
United have been eyeing De Ligt throughout the transfer window, while links with Mazraoui have emerged more recently as the need for additional full-back depth has become apparent.
Deals for both players, each of whom previously enjoyed success under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, are yet to materialise. But a development at Bayern could work in United's favour.
Bayern, having spent €125m (£107m) on a variety of new signings – including Joao Palhinha and Michael Olise, are at the point of now needing to sell if they are add further recruits.
"There is a resolution from the supervisory board that says: We have spent €125m, and if new players come after that, we must first sell," honorary president Uli Hoeness has confirmed
"I communicated that. And it is not my final word, but of the supervisory board as a whole."
With Bayern still chasing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah and Rennes midfielder Desire Doue, Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that the supervisory board at the Allianz Arena will only sanction both signings once player sales happen. And the two "most important" sales to be made are De Ligt and Mazraoui "to Manchester United".
United, despite spending big money on 18-year-old Leny Yoro earlier this summer, are already facing a defensive injury crisis ahead of 2024/25. Yoro has suffered a foot problem recently that required surgery and will sideline him until November, while as many as six other defenders are either doubts or fully ruled out of Saturday's Community Shield against Manchester City.
If Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez aren't fit in time, Erik ten Hag may be forced to begin at Wembley Stadium with Jonny Evans partnered by Casemiro as a stand-in centre-back. Diogo Dalot is available at right-back, but 17-year-old Harry Amass could start on the left.
