Manchester United must sell before they can buy Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins, the latest report has claimed.
The Red Devils began their 2025-26 Premier League season with a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, though many of Ruben Amorim's players impressed.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were a threat all afternoon, while defender Matthijs de Ligt often got the better of Gunners striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Though there were notable improvements in United's display compared to some of their performances last season, many supporters are still keen for the club to make further additions before the closure of the transfer window.
However, The Daily Mail claim that Amorim will not be able to sign Brentford centre-back Collins without sales first, and that could give other admirers such as Liverpool a significant advantage in the race for the defender's signature.
Brentford's Nathan Collins pictured on February 26, 2025
Do Manchester United need Nathan Collins this transfer window?
During his time in charge of United, Amorim has utilised a 3-4-3 system, but he has not always been able to deploy three natural centre-backs due to injury issues.
Lisandro Martinez has frequently been sidelined and is not set to return to action until late October due to a serious knee problem, and left-back Luke Shaw was stationed in central defence against Arsenal.
Signing another centre-back would also be sensible considering Harry Maguire is 32 and could feasibly decline, so perhaps 24 year old Collins would help secure the future of United's defence.
It should be noted that goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both been criticised for their showings between the posts, and if the Red Devils manage to raise funds, Amorim may be tempted to bring in a new shot-stopper as a matter of priority.
Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins, September 2024
Can Manchester United beat Liverpool to the signing of Nathan Collins?
Manchester United have previously beaten the likes of Real Madrid to transfer targets, with centre-back Leny Yoro opting to make the switch from Lille to Old Trafford instead of Spain.
The prospect of starting for United could be appealing to Collins given he may not be guaranteed regular playing time for Liverpool under Arne Slot.
Virgil van Dijk is likely to take up a starting spot until at least the end of next season, and while Ibrahima Konate faces an uncertain future, the Reds have signed 18 year old Giovanni Leoni this summer already.
Collins has experience as both a right-sided and middle centre-back, and he would not necessarily have to compete for a place in United's XI with Yoro, who prefers to play on the right.
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