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4th April 2024
12:34pm BST
In the past few days, Manchester United have been linked with Jarrad Branthwaite, Baylee Dipepa, Aaron Anselmino and Mikayil Faye. All decent prospects but no house-hold names. You can now add Wolves defender Max Kilman to the list.
It has been reported by The Times that United are on the look-out for some new defenders as part of a summer squad overhaul, under the new football operations leadership of Jim Ratcliffe, David Brailsford & Co. Branthwaite is in demand, so his price-tag could well be north of £50 million if he were to be prised away from Everton.
Kilman, the Wolve captain, could be bought for around £30m so that, as well as positive scouting reports and recommendations, has him on United's radar. The 26-year-old is now in his sixth season with Wolves and has, so far, made 141 appearances for the club.
Although he has never been capped for England, Max Kilman has represented his country in futsal competitions. Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko sought to get Kilman to declare for that national team but the Londoner's futsal appearances meant he was tied to England.
At present, Manchester United are in a defensive injury crisis, with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelöf all sidelined, and doubts hanging over Jonny Evans and Raphaël Varane.
The club are eyeing some young defenders in the summer transfer window but ones that have some decent top flight experience. Kilman is just one of a shortlist of defensive options being put together by United.
On the recent Stick to Football, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand offered his thoughts on what steps the club could take to compete for top honours again:
Another big decision the club must take revolves around the future of Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman won a League Cup and secured Champions League football in his first season at United but the current campaign has proved tougher.
Ten Hag's future may well be determined by the next two league outings, against Chelsea and Liverpool.
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