Man United’s ‘summer overhaul’ will prioritise a new centre-back with two Premier League names at the top of their list… as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plots summer spending spree early

Manchester Untied will look to sign a centre-back this summer and reportedly have a list that includes two Premier League names. 

The centre of defence has been one of United’s major issues this season, with Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane all suffering from injuries over the campaign. 

Erik ten Hag has been forced to blood 19-year-old Willy Kambwala to partner Harry Maguire, while Casemiro has also filled in as an emergency centre-half. 

There is set to be a major squad overhaul in the summer, and The Times are reporting that Marc Guehi is a top target for the club, while there is also interest in Wolves‘ Max Kilman. 

Eagles star Guehi, 23, is currently sidelined, but has two years left to run on his current contract and is valued at £55m by the South London club. 

Manchester United could be set for a summer move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi 

There is also some interest in Wolves captain Max Kilman as a centre-back option for the club

Palace are expecting a number of bids for the their star players this summer, with Arsenal also interested in Guehi, while Chelsea would have an option on the defender as part of the deal that took the defender from Stamford Bridge to the Eagles in 2021.

The defender has made 108 appearances for Palace, scoring five goals, and his potential £55million exit would eclipse the club’s £50m record sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the Red Devils in 2019. 

Any departure would see Oliver Glasner needing a replacement for the player, especially with both Rob Holding and James Tomkins out of contract at the end of the season.  

Guehi is in a race against time to make England’s Euro 2024 squad, having been ruled out with a knee injury in February. 

He will need to get some game time under his belt before the end of the season before adding to the nine caps he’s already won for his country. 

United are also keeping tabs on Wolves’ skipper Kilman, as a possible alternative to Guehi.

Kilman, who has played almost 150 games for the Midlands club, is under contract until 2028, and as club captain, they could find a deal trickier to conclude. 

A new defender could be part of several new arrivals at Old Trafford, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team approach their first transfer window. 

Erik ten Hag has been forced to juggle his central defence this season down to injuries 

Dan Ashworth will lead Man United’s recruitment drive when his move from Newcastle is done

Untied have suffered major injury problems in defence this season with Lisandro Martinez missing a chunk of the campaign 

They have already appointed Jason Wilcox as the club’s new technical director, with Dan Ashworth set to be made sporting director once his move from Newcastle is complete. 

The pair are set to lead United’s recruitment drive and have identified Guehi, as well as Kilman, as summer targets. 

There is also interest in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, according to Fabrizio Romano.