Earlier in the week, long-term target Lewis Hall appeared unlikely to depart Newcastle this summer, and Alejandro Balde is said to prefer remaining with Barcelona after United reportedly explored a potential deal. The club has also been linked with other defensive options, including Jorge Salinas, a highly-rated left-back from Racing Santander, and El Hadji Malick Diouf, who recently joined Brentford.
In a surprising turn, United have inquired about Ian Maatsen of Aston Villa as part of their broader search for a left-back. Maatsen started for Villa in their Premier League opener against Brighton but faced a challenging outing as the match progressed. He may drop further down the pecking order with the arrival of Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid this month.
There is also speculation regarding the future of Joshua Zirkzee. The plan remains for Zirkzee to join Fiorentina on a season-long loan with an option to buy, though it is unclear whether an obligation to buy will be included. If Zirkzee leaves, United would likely need a replacement, with talks suggesting an intent to contend with Tottenham for Freiburg striker Igor Matanović. Matanović impressed last season with 11 goals in the Bundesliga and has been touted as a potential successor for Croatia’s Mario Mandžukić.
Manchester United’s priorities appear clear: strengthen the defense with a left-back, while keeping an eye on forward options in case of departures. The final days of the transfer window could determine whether the club secures targeted players or pivots to alternative plans to fortify the squad.
