Man Utd target France World Cup defender as Maguire replacement

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jan 2023 08:21 GMT
• 3 min read

Harry Maguire's Manchester United future could hardly look more uncertain with the Red Devils reportedly in the market for one of France's World Cup stars.

United have been scouting Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi, who was a late call-up to Didier Deschamps' France squad following injury to Paris Saint-Germain vice-captain Presnel Kimpembe.

Maguire had an impressive World Cup with England, but has fallen behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in Erik ten Hag's central defensive pecking order at Old Trafford this season.

READ: Ten Hag deals Maguire fresh blow with Shaw praise

Left-back Luke Shaw even got the nod at centre-back with Maguire on the bench as Man Utd won 1-0 at Wolves recently, with former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand saying: "If I'm Harry Maguire, I'm looking for a new club right now."

And Maguire's path to first-team minutes could soon become more blocked.

Disasi desired

"Manchester United are eyeing a possible move for Monaco and France centre back Axel Disasi," report the Daily Mail. "The 24-year-old, who was part of France's World Cup squad, has been linked with several Premier League clubs including West Ham and Tottenham.

"Sportsmail understands that multiple top-flight clubs are tracking the defender and initial negotiations have taken place with United."

READ: Five France stars who could move after the World Cup

Disasi is currently rated at €25.2 million by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm, but his central defensive partner at Monaco this season, Benoit Badiashile, recently completed a €37m move to Chelsea, and the principality side would likely hold out for more.

Disasi has started 16 Ligue 1 games this season - the most of any outfield player at Monaco, to Badiashile's nine and went to the World Cup with France ahead of him.

His performances for Monaco since his €13m arrival from Reims have also been eminently impressive. Disasi has averaged three aerial challenges won over the last year but also four progressive passes, so he would be an asset on both sides of the ball for United.