United prepare to battle Liverpool for 21-yo PL bulldozer with a “devastating” secret weapon – report

Manchester United’s pursuit of Michael Kayode is under threat as Liverpool are “plotting a move” for the 21-year-old defender, according to a new report. Liverpool ready to raid The Merseyside club have endured a miserable campaign despite spending nearly £450 million last summer after failing to adequately reinforce their backline. An injury crisis at right-back – Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are both ruled out – has led Arne Slot to redeploy Dominik Szoboszlai in defence, with the Hungary captain sent off against Manchester City in the last-minute defeat at Anfield on Sunday. Bradley has suffered a serious knee injury and is not expected to feature again this season. Conversely, while Frimpong will return to full fitness this month, the Netherlands international has struggled at right-back with his breakthrough season with Bayer Leverkusen coming in a more advanced role. As a result, Slot has requested the “recruitment team to look for more dynamic options at the right side of defence,” according to Sports Boom. This has led Liverpool to target Kayode, with the Brentford full-back having “impressed” the Dutch manager this season. “The 21-year-old has been a revelation during Keith Andrews’ first campaign in the dugout at the GTech Community Stadium. His long throws, bustling runs down the flank and incredible work rate have caught the eye of Reds’ boss Arne Slot, our sources have been told.” However, Kayode’s standout performances in west London have also put him on the radar of the two Manchester clubs, with both the red and blue halves of the city considering a swoop this summer. Newcastle are also understood to be keeping a close eye on the Italy U-21 international, who joined Brentford from Fiorentina on loan in January last year, before the Bees made the move permanent for £17.5 million six months later. United on the hunt One of Kayode’s best attributes is his versatility. A right-back by trade, he is also capable of playing at left-back, or even in a back three as an outside centre-back, having made 30 appearances in all competitions this season. Michael Kayode Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League2525–6-2,184′ EFL Cup41–1-137′ FA Cup10—-1′ Total3026–7-2,322′ United are expected to consider defensive reinforcements this summer, with Harry Maguire’s future uncertain and Diogo Dalot being linked with a move abroad. Furthermore, Patrick Dorgu has been reinvented as a left-winger under caretaker coach Michael Carrick, leaving Luke Shaw as the only other option at left-back should the Dane remain in his new position. As such, a young, versatile defender with Premier League pedigree would present an astute signing to bolster the squad across a number of positions. One other interesting part of Kayode’s game are his outstanding long throws, which have been described as a “devastating weapon”. The Premier League has shifted heavily towards the use of set-pieces this season, further incentivising the prospect of recruiting a player with a cannon arm in his arsenal. Featured image Mike Hewitt 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.