Manchester United is honing in on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as their prime target for the upcoming January transfer window. The footballinsider247, citing a senior source at Old Trafford, unveils the club’s intent to secure Guehi as a solution to their defensive quandary amidst the ongoing crisis faced by manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag grappled with the absence of key defensive stalwarts throughout the season, enduring setbacks as players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and Lisandro Martinez battled injuries. Even Raphael Varane, presently fit, struggles to maintain his fitness consistently. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
In this adversity, Harry Maguire remarkably reclaimed his place in the team, emerging as a pivotal player. Nonetheless, uncertainties linger over Maguire’s future with the club, despite his recent resurgence.
The team’s defensive approach shifted to a more conservative style, aligning with Maguire’s strengths but straying from Ten Hag’s long-term vision. The search for a center-back suited to the Dutch manager’s style and offering consistent availability, unlike Varane, becomes imperative.
Reports suggest Manchester United closely monitors Guehi’s progress since his move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace in 2021. Previous indications from The Peoples Person hinted at the club’s interest in the defender, acknowledging his commendable performances and well-rounded skills vital for contemporary defenders.
Guehi’s consistent displays also earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, signaling his growing influence in the national team setup. Speculation arises whether Guehi could rival Maguire at both club and international levels, as Southgate previously considered him an alternative to the United captain.
However, pursuing Guehi might pose a challenge due to potential aerial vulnerability in United’s defense. Last season’s success owed much to the formidable partnership between Varane and Martinez, combining contrasting styles that complemented each other perfectly.
With Guehi’s stature standing at just under six feet, concerns emerge about replicating the aerial dominance of Varane alongside a smaller partner. Nonetheless, Ten Hag has previously succeeded with an undersized center-back pairing at Ajax, suggesting a potential defensive restructuring.
As Manchester United homes in on Guehi, the prospect of him forming a new defensive duo under Ten Hag’s tutelage in January looms on the horizon. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.
