Manchester United will look to improve several positions in the summer transfer window, but a new centre-back should not be a priority.
In the upcoming summer transfer window, it is no secret that Manchester United’s top priority is to sign a top-class midfielder to replace the departing Casemiro.
But according to The Athletic, United have drawn up preliminary shortlists for a potential centre-back signing.
Harry Maguire’s contract is set to expire in the summer and Ineos are perhaps planning to replace him, but bringing in a new signing would only stunt the growth of some exciting defenders already at the club.
Leny Yoro walking on the pitch for Manchester United.
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Man United must prioritise development of three young centre-backs
United’s centre-back department is well stocked, with Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro all competing for starting spots.
Ayden Heaven has also enjoyed a breakthrough season, particularly under Ruben Amorim where he was thriving in the three-at-the-back system.
Yoro and Heaven are the future of United’s defence, with the two centre-backs currently just 20 and 19 years old respectively.
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Ineos should be building around the young defenders, and there is another talented centre-back in the academy ready to follow them into the first team: Godwill Kukonki.
Kukonki has been thriving in the academy and he has been involved in first-team training in 2025/26. He has the physicality to compete in the Premier League and at 18 years old he will be sniffing around for his senior debut.
Forget a new signing, United should be putting their faith in Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Kukonki to be the future foundation of the defence.
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The only dilemma for Ineos is that Yoro, Heaven and Kukonki are still very raw talents, so they should be surrounded by experience as much as possible.
Maguire is a perfect role model in this United squad, and he has been a brilliant leader ever since his arrival in 2019.
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Extending Maguire’s contract makes perfect sense. With Casemiro already leaving, Ineos shouldn’t let two senior figures leave in one summer.
Keeping Maguire for the 2026/27 campaign would also give the three young defenders another season to learn from him before making the step up to being regular starters.
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