Forget Todibo and Neves - Man Utd could land these ideal transfer targets instead

We have been here before, several times; the deluge of speculation, the promise that things will get better, the seeping realisation that they are, in fact, somehow getting worse. For a while now, Manchester United’s transfer business has been, diplomatically speaking, something of a mixed bag. There have, of course, been recruitment successes in recent years, but these have sort of felt more like happy accidents than calculated victories, and have more often than not been outweighed by an influx of duds.

This summer might just be different though. No, really. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the helm, and with a renewed sense of vigour in the boardroom, United are expected to be busy over the coming weeks. And amongst the positions they are tipped to strengthen are the respective hearts of defence and midfield.

Several names have been linked already, from the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Leny Yoro, to Joao Neves and Amadou Onana. But in recent days, two clear targets have emerged, and they may prove to be ideal fits for Erik ten Hag’s squad.

Both Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte are understood to be on United’s radar, and according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, there are reasons to be hopeful that both deals can be struck.

Speaking on The Daily Briefing, he said: “At the moment, Man United are working on both. So centre-back, for sure, is one of the priorities. And so I think it’s the most imminent story for Manchester United. They want to bring in a new centre-back. Matthijs De Ligt is in the list for sure. Man United already, around Friday, Saturday, made contact with the agents of the player to understand also whether the player was keen to maybe leave Champions League football for the upcoming season, but accept Manchester United project.

“What I’m hearing is that Matthijs De Ligt is absolutely keen on this possibility, also knowing the manager is something important for him to accept Manchester United. Now it’s on the clubs. So Man United will decide how they want to proceed in conversations with Bayern, waiting to understand how much can be the correct fee to make things happen. But for sure, Matthijs De Ligt looks like most likely signing for Manchester United in that position rather than other players who can be too expensive.

“And then Ugarte, for the midfield, is a player who could really leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer. PSG are prepared to keep the green light in case they receive a good permanent deal proposal. And what I’m hearing is that also Ugarte would be keen on joining Manchester United.”

Both De Ligt and Ugarte are players who would represent significant statements of intent from United and their new investors. The former is a 45-cap Netherlands international who, despite falling out of favour at Bayern, is widely regarded as one of the best young players in his position in continental football. Sky Sports’ fresh report suggesting that he could be available for around £42 million only makes a swoop more tempting still.

And then there is Ugarte, a Uruguayan international renowned for his combative nature and his ability to disrupt in the centre of the park. For a side who likes to play on the transition, a player of his profile, and of his ilk, feels like an absolute must. Like De Ligt, if he is available this summer, United should certainly be considering a swoop.

Only time will tell how far United will actually take their apparent interest in the duo, but if Romano is to be believed, this could be a very doable, and very positive, double deal for the Red Devils.