Another Varane or Casemiro? Man Utd cull squad to sign another aging player

Carlo Garganese

• 17 Dec 2023 10:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are set to cull their defence in 2024 in order to sign David Alaba, according to Fichajes.

United’s defence has been disastrous this season, already conceding 39 goals in 24 games in all competitions.

This includes 15 goals in the Champions League group stage as United exited the competition having conceded the most in the groups in the history of an English team.

Fichajes reports that United will offload a number of centre backs in 2024, most likely at the end of the season.

The contracts of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof expire and both will leave on a free transfer.

Raphael Varane will also leave for a small fee in January or for free at the end of the campaign after losing his place in the first team.

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire’s place is also still in question having been transfer listed this past summer before winning back his starting slot.

Only Lisandro Martinez is guaranteed to stay in the 2024-25 season from the centre backs.

Fichajes reports that Man Utd are planning to move for David Alaba next summer.

The Austrian has been one of the best defenders in the world over the last decade and can play at centre back, left back and in midfield.

Man Utd signing past-it players?

But he will be 32 in June and there will be fears of a repeat of the situation of two other former Real Madrid legends in Varane and Casemiro.

Both players moved to United when they were already past their best, and things have not gone well. Indeed, both are expected to leave in 2024.

A move for Alaba could risk ending the same way.

Alaba joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 from Bayern Munich as a replacement for Varane.

He has since won all the major club honours available for Madrid.