Manchester United will look to kick on this summer ahead of the new season.placeholder image
Manchester United will look to kick on this summer ahead of the new season. | Getty Images
Man United could look to the free agent market to secure a key signing this summer
Manchester United will hope to head into this summer transfer window as a Champions League club as Michael Carrick’s side aim to solidify their spot in the top four of the Premier League.
The Red Devils are in a strong position as we approach the run-in and have just the league to focus on, unlike all their rivals, who either have European or cup competitions to contend to. It appears, therefore, that there is little excuse for United not to reach their goal and particularly if five Champions League spots are given to English sides.
Man United should secure Bournemouth man to replace outgoing star
United defensive stalwart Harry Maguire looks set to be out of contract this summer as things stand and if he does depart Old Trafford, the Red Devils would be smart to replace him in another free agent move for Bournemouth star Marcos Senesi.
The Argentine centre-back has been a key part of the Cherries side which has risen back into the top half of the Premier League this season and he has slotted back in seamlessly after being ousted from the starting XI by Real Madrid’s Dean Huijson last campaign. The fact that the Cherries’ centre-back duo from last term are now at Real and PSG says a lot about the quality of defenders at Andoni Iraola’s disposal, and the same is true for Senesi.
Reports by The Sun state that a decision has already been made that Senesi will not sign a new contract at Vitality Stadium, with the club having failed to agree terms and accepted that the player wishes to depart for elsewhere. He has a long list of suitors, from Chelsea to Newcastle and even Barcelona, but it is Man United who should step forward on an offensive to make the 28-year-old defender their own.
Free agent move for Senesi could solve multiple issues
If Maguire departs then United will be in need of experience at the back this summer, and you cannot go wrong with a free transfer move for a player who is seasoned at this level after four seasons on the south coast. He signed from Feyenoord following Bournemouth’s promotion in 2022 and has made 119 appearances for the Cherries in all, contributing six goals and nine assists from defence.
Senesi has recently earned a recall to the Argentina squad for the first time as a Bournemouth player and may see his stocks rise yet further if he is given a spot in their World Cup squad this summer.
Though a full 10cm shorter than Maguire at 6ft 0in, what he lacks in relative stature for his position he makes up for in strong defensive numbers and experience which would be beneficial to the likes of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. Alongside the youthful pair and Maguire, United’s only senior centre-backs are injury-prone duo Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez. To rectify such an issue with the addition of Senesi on a free transfer, even if he may not be a guaranteed starter, appears to be a no-brainer.
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