Despite Manchester United’s summer 2024 overhaul of the centre-back position, further work is needed in 2025.
Ruben Amorim has a strong group of defenders at his disposal, but the system in place stretches the group thin.
With three starting central defenders, Manchester United’s second-string options consist of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, while Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans rank lowest in the pecking order.
United in an ideal world would start with Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt – although the Argentine is out for as many as 10 months.
This summer United are likely to release Evans and Lindelof, which will open the door for further centre-back reinforcement. In this event, there are a handful of standout options.
Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth after his sides 1-0 win during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC at Vitality Stadium on J...
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Manchester United wanted to sign Dean Huijsen last summer
One of the Premier League’s very best breakout players this season has been Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who has been incredible in the Cherries’ exciting side.
Huijsen has played 18 times for Andoni Iraola’s side and ranks incredibly well in the league for key defensive attributes.
18 tackles won – 79th percentile
34 duels won – 70th percentile
29 interceptions – 92nd percentile
65 recoveries – 77th percentile
At just 19 years old, Huijsen’s performances are due to bank Bournemouth a sizeable profit on the £12.8m they spent last summer.
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It could be assumed Bournemouth pulled off a scouting masterclass to find Huijsen – but in fact, he was known to Manchester United before Juventus cashed in.
Last summer, transfer expert Graeme Bailey reported that United had asked Juventus to keep them informed about Huijsen.
HITC understands that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have been asked to be kept informed over the future of Juventus defender Dean Huijsen.
with @ShaunWebbley https://t.co/UtNcKKvPeS
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) May 30, 2024
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So United must have passed on the chance to sign him – yet 12 months later and Ineos are now crawling back in hopes of signing him, but it will prove costly.
Ineos told asking price to sign Huijsen in 2025
United saw first-hand how good Huijsen was when he scored and dominated at Old Trafford in December during Bournemouth’s 3-0 win.
Now, according to The Sun, interest from United has sparked up again and this time Huijsen will not come cheap. United will also face interest from Real Madrid.
Bournemouth have slapped a £55m asking price on the Dutch teenager who has enjoyed a breakout this season. This means United would be paying £43m more than Huijsen cost last summer.
If only United had listened to Jose Mourinho’s praise of Huijsen last season.
“We all know who he is. He is an 18-year-old boy who has played 10 minutes in Serie A, but he is one of the highest-quality prospects in European football at this age level.
“He will be a great footballer in the future.”