Under manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s defensive unit was perhaps the only department that benefited from the change to a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1, and there was a persistent feeling that the change to a back three gave the club more protection for its centre-backs.
However, although that myth has been dispelled to some extent since Michael Carrick took over, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire formed a particularly formidable partnership early in the Englishman’s reign, winning four of their five games together before the trip to Everton.
It must be said that this combination of small and large looks fruitful and the pair represented the perfect marriage of silk and steel in the heart of defence.
However, despite such quality, Martinez’s long injury history remains a concern, while there is certainly room for improvement defensively, with United producing more goals than any other member of the Premier League’s top eight.
PL Top 8 – Goals Conceded | ||
|---|---|---|
club | position | Number of goals conceded |
arsenal | 1 | twenty two |
man city | 2 | 28 |
manchester united | 3 | 43 |
villa | 4 | 37 |
liverpool | 5 | 42 |
chelsea | 6 | 38 |
brentford | 7 | 42 |
everton | 8 | 35 |
So, despite the centre-back department looking relatively healthy, the Red Devils may look to strengthen again this summer.
Man United’s £70m bid for centre-back likely to be accepted
Martinez, who only returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the festival period, has been sidelined again in recent weeks after sustaining a calf injury ahead of the 1-0 win over Everton.
Meanwhile, Maguire has returned to the England squad after starting every game during Carrick’s tenure, but the 33-year-old is yet to sign a new contract, even though an extension is expected.
With the long absence of Matthijs de Ligt and the fact that Lenny Yolo and Aiden Haven are still promising players, it is understandable that the INEOS regime may still be looking for a “defensive leader”, as journalist Andy Mitten has repeatedly mentioned.
With that in mind, TEAMtalk reports that United are already in preliminary talks over a possible move for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, with the Old Trafford side said to have “clear admiration” for the powerful Brazilian.
The report suggests that while the Red Devils are considered “candidates” for his signature, Liverpool are likely to make a bid for him, with INEOS looking for a “cheaper replacement”.
The report also reveals that any suitor is likely to complete a deal if they meet Forest’s reported asking price of between £60m and £70m, which would be a club record sale price for Tricky Trees.
Why Murillo could be a Martinez-Maguire hybrid
Maguire’s return to international action was a welcome sight on Friday night, with the aging defender making his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley.
The £80 million man understandably forced his way back into the squad after a long run and fitness at the Theater of Dreams, despite being drawn out in United’s pre-international breakaway against Bournemouth.
Speed may not be his forte, but the towering centre-back is a classic ferocious defender, while also having the talent to get the ball out of the defense with ease.
Man United hold talks to replace star Shaw who rejected Real Madrid
There has been progress in the pursuit of the Red Devils.
As for his latest partner, Martinez, the 27-year-old has his own tenacious defensive determination, but still boasts such prowess in possession, ranking in the top 3% for both progressive passes and progressive carries this season, according to Datamb.
In Murillo, INEOS would be signing a player who is a combination of the two, with the strength and size of Maguire, but with the culture and ball-playing quality of Martinez in a left-sided role.
Still only 23 years old, the left-footer has rapidly risen to prominence in recent years, joining Forest in 2023 after returning to Corinthians in his native Brazil and making just 13 first-team appearances.
What particularly caught my eye was the Martinez-esque way he breezed forward from deep and instantly transformed defense into attack with his almost trademark runs.
The Forest sensation remarkably came close to scoring a remarkable solo goal away at Selhurst Park in his first season, charging towards the pitch and rather gliding across it to devastating effect.
He was also part of a side that long looked like they could qualify for the Champions League last season, and although this has been a trickier test, Murillo remains a key figure in Nottingham’s squad.
He started 23 games in the Premier League, averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, boasting a solid passing accuracy of 84% and winning 55% of all duels.
While £70 million may seem like a steep transfer fee for a player playing for a team in danger of being relegated, Murillo appears to have all the makings of a perfect modern-day centre-back and could certainly prove to be the long-term solution United are looking for.
INEOS enters into talks with Manchester United to sign Wayne Rooney’s next contract at Old Trafford
Manchester United wasted no time in signing the Premier League star.
