Why Manchester United are unlikely to sign a centre-back despite persistent injury concerns

Manchester United head into next season with five centre-backs on the books but serious doubts about how many will be fit at any one time, and the club’s current plan does not involve adding to that group in the transfer window.

Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are the options available to manager Michael Carrick. On paper, the quintet offers experience, international pedigree, and promising youth — but the injury history attached to several of them complicates the picture considerably.

De Ligt is already ruled out for the start of the campaign after undergoing back surgery in May, with his absence expected to stretch to around 10 months. The 26-year-old had resisted the operation in an attempt to return before the end of last season and push for a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, but ultimately had no choice. He had previously missed eight games in his debut United season through a knee problem and a foot injury.

Martinez presents perhaps the most persistent concern. The Argentine has started just 65 of United’s 152 Premier League games since arriving from Ajax, with serious injuries repeatedly interrupting his time at Old Trafford across four seasons. When fit, he is widely regarded as one of the club’s most important players — his ball-playing ability and intensity in one-on-one duels make United measurably better — but his availability can no longer be taken for granted.

Maguire, now 33, signed a one-year contract extension with an option for a further 12 months and was excellent under Carrick in the second half of last season. His age brings its own injury risk, however — he missed 10 games through two separate problems last term and was sidelined for more than 15 fixtures the season before. The hope is that his experience makes those absences manageable.

Yoro and Heaven, aged 20 and 19 respectively, represent the longer-term investment. Both are regarded highly within the club, though neither has yet accumulated the top-flight minutes that would make them reliable first-choice options over a full season.

Despite the links to players such as Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, United’s position is that the current group — if it can stay fit — is sufficient to compete across multiple fronts. The caveat is significant: the likelihood of all five being available simultaneously is slim, and the squad’s depth at centre-back has already been tested before a ball has been kicked in pre-season.