MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 08:01:30| >> :120:19246:19246:

Manchester United 'still want a defender and midfielder'

Man United 'still want a defender and midfielder'
© Reuters
Erik ten Hag is hoping to add a defender and a midfielder to his Manchester United squad before the end of the summer, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly still hoping to add a defender and a midfielder to their squad before the transfer window closes, but must sell before they can buy.

Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay's future's had both been up in the air with West Ham United interested in the duo.

Football Insider claims that the potential funds raised from selling the two players is what Erik ten Hag had hoped would fund further incomings.

However, after moves have broken down for both players, United will have to sell other squad players in order to accommodate any new acquisitions.

Sofyan Amrabat has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for much of the summer, but United would need to sell McTominay - or another player of similar value - to fund the reported £30m deal.

That is due to United already spending big on three summer recruits so far, after the signings of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.

The trio of incomings cost Man United upwards of £170m, but the club have not recouped much this summer in the way of player sales.

Fred's move to Fenerbahce has recently brought in some money, as did Anthony Elanga's move to Nottingham Forest, but Ten Hag is looking to offload more deadwood in the coming weeks.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire after the match on August 14, 2023© Reuters

With Maguire struggling to get a look in though, United may have been banking on him departing the club.

Victor Lindelof was the preferred centre-back option to come off the bench to replace Lisandro Martinez on Monday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, casting further doubt over Maguire's future.

However, the deal broke down in the week, with Maguire set to stay and fight for his place despite the European Championships coming up next summer.

With McTominay also potentially now staying, United may have to hope that they can strike a deal which would see Donny van de Beek depart.

Van de Beek has struggled during his tenure in Manchester, and despite linking up with his former manager from his time at Ajax, the Dutchman has still been unable to nail down a place in the side.

With Mount now through the door, joining players such as Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen at the club, Van de Beek and McTominay are only set to fall further down the pecking order.

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Written by
Andrew Delaney

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2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
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16Everton153661421-715
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