Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for a £10 million League One defender, which would be a shocking move for Michael Carrick's side.
Manchester United are looking to add more new signings to their squad before the beginning of next season.
Michael Carrick's side opened their pre-season campaign on Saturday 18 July, with a 1-0 loss to Championship side Wrexham.
United fielded two XI's – the first, the strongest side Michael Carrick could have put out, and the second a younger side made up of several Under-21 stars.
Jacob Devaney, who is a natural defensive midfielder and impressed in the engine room on loan at St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership last season, was forced to play in central defence in the second 45 minutes.
Leny Yoro played at right-back in the first half, but Michael Carrick did not have any other options to play in centre-back, suggesting that United may be forced to sign one before the end of the summer.
United eye £10 million League One defender
With several first-team centre-backs to choose from, United appear to be looking at a younger defender who could stay at Old Trafford for several years – much like Heaven and Yoro.
The Daily Mail have reported that Manchester United have expressed an interest in signing Leicester City defender Ben Nelson.
Nelson, who stands at 6'5, can also play as a left-back, but has told Leicester City he wants to leave the club after their relegation to League One.
The 22-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his contract, but Leicester have rejected offers from Borussia Monchengladbach and Torino.
Leicester City value the centre-back at £10 million, which appears to be deterring other clubs from making an offer.
Do United need another centre-back?
While Michael Carrick was lacking options to play in central defence against Wrexham, he has not had that problem during the regular season while he has been Manchester United's head coach.
United already have Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro.
Tyler Fredricson is another centre-back who has played first-team football, but he looks set to leave Old Trafford after missing out on the squad to face Wrexham. Celtic looked close to signing him in January, but an injury ended any chances of the move in the winter window.
Signing another centre-back would leave United with six (technically seven) senior centre-backs.
Michael Carrick will be looking to utilise his wider squad next season during the Champions League, but six senior centre-backs seems to many.
Heaven and Yoro need to be playing every week if they want to develop into the great players they could be. And that will not happen if another defender is signed.
