- Manchester United want to sign a Nottingham Forest starter
- The Red Devils plan to bring in a left-footed defender this summer
- This comes at a time when the backline has been impacted due to injuries
Manchester United are considering signing a new centre-back in the upcoming summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo among the options.
United fans have witnessed a complete turnaround of the club in the second half of the campaign. As of now, the Red Devils look set to qualify for the Champions League if they can hold onto their third position in the Premier League table.
It is expected that United will be in a strong financial position going into next summer. Despite impressive recent performances, the squad still needs some improvements in certain areas, especially with the Champions League in mind.
Defence is one such position that could benefit from some additions, and it looks like the Red Devils are already exploring their options. Indeed, Rob Dawson of ESPN has revealed that United have already looked into several left-footed centre-backs, which include Forest star Murillo.
Murillo on Manchester United radar
Murillo has been an important part of Forest’s backline ever since his arrival in 2023. This season, the Brazilian has appeared in 35 matches across all competitions and scored two goals.
The 23-year-old could be a valuable addition to United’s squad. However, there are some challenges the Red Devils will have to address. Firstly, they aren’t the only club interested in the youngster. Chelsea, who have faced difficulties in defence, are also believed to be in the race for the star.
Secondly, Murillo has a contract with Forest until 2029, so the Tricky Trees might be reluctant to let their star defender leave. In that case, a significant offer from United might be needed to change their mind.
Is Murillo a Necessity?
Harry Maguire recently extended his contract with the club for one year. Additionally, the Reds have Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt set to return from injuries. So, United might be able to put off signing a new defender for some time if they want to.
The midfield is certainly a position which is in greater need of reinforcement than the backline. This is because Casemiro could leave in the summer, and leave a major void. The Red Devils also want to sign a left-winger as they are thin in that area.
Then again, the defence has suffered from multiple injuries lately. So it would be ideal if United could bring some new faces to address that issue.
In conclusion, the next few weeks might make it clear to United how they should plan for the summer transfer window. For now, though, the focus should solely be on the field. After all, the season isn’t over yet.
