Man Utd swoop for €40m injury-prone defender

Carlo Garganese

• 8 Oct 2023 15:54 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are planning a surprise €40 million swoop for injury-prone Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez.

That is according to Nacional, who report that Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has instructed the club to buy a centre back in January.

The main reason for this is because United have been decimated by injuries in defence this season.

They are currently without four central defenders, while they are also missing a natural left back.

During the 2-1 win over Brentford, outcast Harry Maguire started alongside Jonny Evans so desperate was Ten Hag.

Defensively, United have been a disaster this season. Andre Onana has conceded 19 goals in 11 games and has also struggled badly during the first weeks of his Man Utd career, making a string of errors.

This has all resulted in United making their worst start to a season in pushing on 40 years.

Man Utd plan Gimenez signing

Ironically, the planned January signing Gimenez is also hugely injury prone.

He has featured in less than 60 per cent of Atletico’s league games in the last five seasons due to numerous injuries.

Gimenez, when fit, is regarded as one of Europe’s best centre backs and at the age of 28 he boasts great experience. He was a key player for Atletico as they won two La Liga titles under Diego Simeone. He has also won 81 caps for the Uruguay national team.

But his injury record suggests this may be a risky signing for United.

Atletico are understood to be open to a sale at around €40 for the 28-year-old.