Manchester United have reportedly taken steps to address their defensive concerns by reaching out to a free agent, following a series of injury setbacks to key players Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro.
In a recent development, it has been confirmed that summer acquisition Leny Yoro underwent surgery for a fractured metatarsal in his left foot. This injury occurred during United’s pre-season match against Arsenal. The 18-year-old center-back, who joined Old Trafford from Lille last month, is anticipated to be sidelined for approximately three months due to this setback.
Manager Erik ten Hag has been grappling with a string of injury issues affecting his squad. Notably, striker Rasmus Hojlund is also out of action, having sustained an injury during pre-season that will keep him out for several weeks. As United gears up for their Community Shield clash against Manchester City, ten Hag has disclosed that several players might be unavailable for the pivotal match at Wembley.
“Harry Maguire missed the game against Liverpool as a precaution, but he remains a doubt for Saturday’s encounter,” ten Hag revealed. “We need to assess his fitness to determine his availability.”
Ten Hag continued to address other concerns, noting that Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are also doubts for the upcoming fixture. “We’ll evaluate their conditions tomorrow [Friday],” he added.
While ten Hag did not provide a specific update on Shaw’s situation, recent reports indicate that Manchester United may be considering bolstering their defense. Máximo de la Cruz Ramírez has suggested that the club has initiated discussions with Mario Hermoso, a former defender for Atletico Madrid who is currently a free agent.
Hermoso, a 29-year-old Spanish center-back who also played as a left-back under Diego Simeone, is reportedly seeking a gross annual salary of €6 million (£5.1 million) along with a three-year contract. Ramírez has indicated that “negotiations are in the initial phase, and it remains to be seen how they will progress.”
During his five-year stint with Atletico Madrid, Hermoso made 174 appearances and was part of the squad that secured the La Liga title in the 2020/21 season. That campaign saw Atletico concede only 25 league goals, with Hermoso featuring in 31 of those matches.
Following the expiration of his contract with Atletico in June, Hermoso’s representatives have reportedly offered him to other Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and West Ham, according to AreaNapoli.
Given Manchester United’s pressing need for defensive reinforcements due to the current injury crisis, the club is exploring the possibility of signing Hermoso. His versatility and experience could prove invaluable during this challenging period. However, with interest from other Premier League clubs, United may need to act swiftly to secure his services.