Manchester United’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix appears to have ended in disappointment. The Red Devils remain linked with defensive reinforcements this summer following a poor run at the back in the past couple of seasons.
The English giants conceded 58 goals in 38 Premier League games in the 2023/24 campaign, prompting a spending spree in the backline. Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui were signed to bolster the defence, which continued to be a major weakness.
United’s defensive record hardly improved in the 2024/25 season, as they conceded 54 times in the league and finished in 15th place. INEOS focused on the attacking and goalkeeping departments last summer, investing over €200 million in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens.
While the Red Devils ended up third in the Premier League, they still conceded 50 times in the league, generating talk of reinforcements this summer. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests INEOS have identified Lacroix as an answer to their woes.
Premier League proven warrior
Lacroix spent his youth career at several clubs in France before finding his feet at Sochaux. He broke into the senior side in 2018 and two years later, earned a move to Wolfsburg.
Crystal Palace came calling in the summer of 2024, and the Frenchman has since made a name for himself at Selhurst Park. Last season, Lacroix registered three goals and three assists in 55 games, helping the Eagles win the UEFA Conference League and the Community Shield.
Maxence Lacroix Stats: 2025/26 Season
| Competition | Appearances | Stats | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Second Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 35 | 35 | 1 | 2 | 4 | – | 1 | 3,087′ |
| UEFA Conference League | 14 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | – | – | 1,215′ |
| EFL Cup | 3 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | 270′ |
| UEFA Conference League Qualifying | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | 180′ |
| Community Shield | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 90′ |
| FA Cup | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 55 | 55 | 3 | 3 | 6 | – | 1 | 4,842′ |
Source: Transfermarkt.
The 6’4” central defender is an imposing presence at both boxes, has tremendous recovery pace and is very good at one-on-one duels. His attributes make him a fantastic choice for United, especially with Harry Maguire in the twilight of his career and Lisandro Martinez and De Ligt struggling to stay fit.
It was previously reported that Chelsea are leading the race for the 26 year old’s signature. A recent update on the situation has emerged, which will put a dent in the Red Devils’ plans.
Chelsea win race for United target
According to The Athletic, Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Lacroix this summer. The report states: “Chelsea are in the process of finalising a deal in the region of £52million ($69.2m) to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix.”
“The France international is scheduled to undergo his medical today before signing a six-year deal that will see him contracted to Chelsea until 2032.”
The update will come as a huge blow for the Red Devils, who have now seen another target slip through their fingers. The Red Devils have already missed out on Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City, and Mateus Fernandes, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Lacroix’s transfer to Stamford Bridge is the latest in a series of setbacks that INEOS have had to cope with during the current transfer window.
Final Thoughts
While United will be disappointed at missing out on Lacroix, they already have a talented Frenchman in their ranks in Yoro. The 20 year old has displayed sparks of brilliance so far, but fans will hope that he will finally come into his own in the 2026/27 season.
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.
