Man United chiefs concede Martinez was right as January defensive rebuild takes shape

Manchester United’s hierarchy has privately acknowledged it should have signed a defender in the summer, with the club drawing up plans to address a leaking backline in January — a tacit admission that Lisandro Martinez was correct when he publicly criticised the club’s transfer activity last week.

United have conceded 15 goals in their opening seven Premier League games under manager Michael Carrick, with injuries compounding a threadbare defensive unit. Luke Shaw’s absence has forced Ayden Heaven and Diogo Dalot to play out of position at left-back, and Shaw is among eight players set to miss Wednesday’s trip to Como.

Martinez was fined after calling out the club’s hierarchy — including director of football Jason Wilcox — for failing to strengthen the squad ahead of their return to the Champions League. His comments divided opinion, but senior figures at Old Trafford have since accepted the criticism had merit, according to a report from The i Paper.

Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert, 24, has emerged on United’s shortlist. The Cherries signed the Frenchman from Rennes for £14.4m in June 2025, and United are described as long-time admirers. The club had previously targeted Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, but the England international was deemed too expensive.

Centre-back is also a priority. Both Martinez and Harry Maguire are in the final year of their contracts, and United are expected to sign at least one central defender in January. A second could follow if Martinez departs, with Atletico Madrid reported to hold an interest in the Argentine.

Matthijs de Ligt, brought to Old Trafford two years ago as the club’s marquee centre-back, has been sidelined for 12 months with a back injury. The 27-year-old could make his first start since last October against Como, with Daniel Armer the only other recognised centre-back seen in training before the squad flew to Italy on Tuesday.