Fabrizio Romano addresses rumours suggesting United attempted to hijack deadline day deal

Manchester United invested heavily in their defence in the summer of 2024, but have struggled to contain goals so far. The Red Devils conceded 54 goals in 38 Premier League games in the 2024/25 season, finishing 15th in the table with a -10 goal difference. The English giants spent a small fortune revamping their attack last summer, and have scored goals for fun this campaign. United have found the back of the net 44 times in 24 league games this season, the third most in the top tier of English football after Manchester City (49) and Arsenal (46). For context, they scored 44 goals in 38 games last campaign, signifying a huge improvement in the final third. However, the defence still remains a concern, with the Red Devils letting in 36 goals in 24 games so far, the second-most in the top 15 of the table behind Bournemouth (43). Matthijs de Ligt’s absence a concern While United have abandoned former head coach Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system after his departure this month and switched to a back four, their inability to keep opponents at bay persists. In the five games following the Portuguese’s departure, the Red Devils have conceded eight goals. The injury to Matthijs de Ligt, who has remained sidelined with a back problem since December, has not helped the club’s cause. The Dutchman was among the best defenders in the Premier League this season, and he has been missed so far. Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been solid under new caretaker manager Michael Carrick, but there is a belief that De Ligt’s presence would have further elevated the defence. Jeremy Jacquet, who has agreed to join Liverpool this month, was previously named as an option to reinforce the backline and was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this month. Jeremy Jacquet Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Ligue 11818–411,604′ Coupe de France11—-90′ Total1919–411,694′ Source: Transfermarkt. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person stated that the Red Devils attempted to hijack a deal for the talented young defender before his move to Anfield. Acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano has now provided a contrasting update on the saga. United did not attempt a hijack Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has refuted claims that United attempted an eleventh-hour move for Jacquet. He said: “Someone said, ‘Is there a chance also for the situation, in the case of Manchester United, maybe to hijack? Some rumours from France may United were also involved.’” “No, I’m not aware of Manchester United hijacking this deal for Jeremy Jac. So, Liverpool remain in absolute control. They’re very happy with the signing they did.” The Red Devils’ need for defensive reinforcements stems from the fact that Maguire is out of contract this summer and has not been offered a new deal yet. Unless De Ligt recovers his fitness and form, the Premier League giants may need to invest in a new defender if the Englishman ends up leaving. Final Thoughts Liverpool have reportedly agreed to pay £60 million for the 20 year old French defender, and United were unlikely to match that offer, especially since they already have two young talents in Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro. Heaven, meanwhile, arrived for a nominal fee, and his recent performances suggest the Red Devils have a rare talent on their hands. The English giants oversaw a quiet winter transfer window, which was not unexpected, given that their primary focus remains on reinforcing the midfield this summer. Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.