Manchester United have shelved plans to sign a new central defender until 2026 as any deal would be too complicated to do this month, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
The Reds have been able to add Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to their attack this summer as Ruben Amorim looked to completely refresh his forward line.
The club were also keen on a move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba to strengthen their midfield, but the Seagulls' £100m+ valuation and stance of not selling this month has made any deal impossible to do. But now United chiefs have also shelved plans to add a centre-back to the squad until next year also.
Man Utd Postpone Centre-Back Deal Until 2026
Amorim
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that recruitment chiefs at Old Trafford drew up a plan before the end of the 2024/25 season about the business they wanted to do, and it earmarked six signings including three attackers, a midfielder, a goalkeeper and a centre-back in the next 12 months.
While INEOS have been able to get the three attackers over the line, they now feel that a move for a new centre-back is unlikely to be addressed until January at the earliest.
Sources insist that strengthening the centre-back position remains on the club's to-do list, and the recruitment team are committed to adding a new defender to the squad as part of their ambitious long-term plan aimed at building a Premier League-winning squad by 2028.
Manchester United are currently closely monitoring a number of defenders across both Europe and South America, but the stance among the club staff is calm rather than panic at no deal being on the cards before the September 1st deadline.
While the club's plan was for the six deals to be done within a 12 month period, that has not stopped them from attempting to fast-track the process where possible, hence interest in Baleba this month as well as several targets being eyed for the goalkeeper position.
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