Manchester United are on the hunt for new central defenders after this season's injury issues.
Manchester United have been impressive under Michael Carrick, but the defensive availability issues appear to have caused director of football Jason Wilcox to begin the centre-back search.
Lisandro Martínez missed most of the first half of the season due to an ACL injury picked up earlier in the year. Matthijs de Ligt has been out injured since November 30 due to a back problem. Harry Maguire and Martínez's red cards left just Ayden Heaven as the only senior centre-back available against Chelsea, with Leny Yoro also out injured.
The Red Devils look set to return to the Champions League next season, meaning they could play over 20 more games than the 40 they will play when the 2025/26 season comes to an end.
Having centre-backs who can play more than one game a week and do not have a bad record with injuries will be crucial to any success United want to have next season.
United eye Senesi and Kalulu
One centre-back United have been regularly linked to is AFC Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi. The Argentine looks set to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season, like his manager Andoni Iraola.
Caught Offside have reported that Tottenham Hotspur are in "advanced talks" to sign Senesi, but a deal will not be agreed before the end of the Premier League campaign, as Spurs could still be relegated. They are in 18th place on 34 points after 34 games.
Liverpool are also said to be in the race for Senesi, likely as a replacement for Ibrahim Konate, who could leave Merseyside on a free.
Caught Offside report that Arne Slot's side are looking at Juventus' Pierre Kalulu as another option. The Frenchman is also on United's radar, but he would be another right-footed defender at Old Trafford.
United already have De Ligt, Maguire and Yoro as right-footed centre-backs, so signing Senesi would make more sense, especially if United are looking to move on one of their senior centre-backs.
What this means for Martínez and De Ligt
United have just announced a new contract for Maguire, while Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro appear to be seen as the future of the club. So, they are not going anywhere. Martínez and De Ligt, though, could be.
With the return of the Champions League, United should be hoping their two starting centre-backs can play two or three games every week, should they need to. However, the options already at the club have not proven that they can do so without getting injured.
If United are to bring in a new centre-back, they will have six senior options, which is simply too many. Director of football Jason Wilcox will be forced into selling one, but who?
Finding buyers for De Ligt may be difficult after nearly six months on the sidelines, but Martínez is a fan favourite.