Manchester United invested heavily in their backline in the summer of 2024.
Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazaraoui were signed from Bayern Munich, while Leny Yoro arrived from Lille. De Ligt and Yoro are first team regulars for Ruben Amorim at the moment, while Mazraoui also remains a key part of the club’s plans.
However, the Premier League giants could be tempted to further reinforce their defensee in 2026, with multiple players staring at uncertain futures at the moment.
Luke Shaw is already on the wrong side of 30, along with Harry Maguire, and it is time for the Red Devils to lay down succession plans for the duo.
Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez’s recent injury woes have also raised question marks over his long-term future at the Theatre of Dreams.
Guehi has admirers across Europe
There’s no doubt that when fit, the Argentine defender is one of United’s most influential players. However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has already missed 82 games for club and country due to injuries in the last two seasons, and is currently sidelined after rupturing his ACL earlier this year.
The Red Devils, as such, could be on the hunt for further defensive reinforcements in 2026, and one of the players reportedly on their radar is Marc Guehi.
The former Chelsea ace has been very impressive for Crystal Palace in recent years and is in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park. Guehi was a step away from joining Liverpool this summer before the move broke down.
The 25 year old is unlikely to sign a new deal with the London club, who are reportedly ready to offload him for €20m in January. The Reds, however, are expected to return for the player next summer, when he could be available for free.
United could be tempted to make a move for Guehi in the winter transfer window, but it looks like Real Madrid could ruin their plans.
Real Madrid have advantage in the race
Despite signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer, Los Blancos remain on the hunt for a new defender in 2026. This could be because Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are no longer young, and their contracts expire in less than 12 months.
Guehi has popped up on their radar as well, and according to The Mirror, the Englishman has his heart set on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are now expected to enter negotiations for the player, who could agree a pre-contract with the LaLiga giants in January.
Guehi is apparently enticed by the opportunity of playing in LaLiga, and it appears that United have to look elsewhere to solve their defensive conundrum.
Feature image Harriet Lander via Getty Images
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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. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
