Sergio Ramos' successor: Man Utd target PROLIFIC defender to help Hojlund

Suraj Radia

• 1 Feb 2024 11:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are amongst the lowest scorers in the entire Premier League and it appears Erik ten Hag believes the best form of attack starts with defence, with a move targeted for one of the most prolific centre-backs in world football.

Only the three teams in the relegation zone have scored less goals than United, with Ten Hag’s side netting just 24 times in 21 games this season.

With United having spent €73 million on Rasmus Hojlund in the summer, the club are prepared to give their young forward time to adapt even if he has only scored twice in 16 Premier League appearances.

While there is understood to be an acceptance that another striker is needed to support Hojlund, United prefer to prioritise their resources in other areas, with defence a key position to reinforce for Ten Hag.

And the desire to strengthen at both sides of the pitch has seemingly led United to Gleison Bremer, who has established a reputation at Juventus as a consistent defender who also has an eye for goal.

The 26-year-old has scored 17 goals in the past five seasons, second only to Sergio Ramos, and his reliable displays for the Serie A side has attracted the interest of United, who will consider a summer transfer for the Juve star.

Man Utd could sacrifice Maguire to sign Bremer

Bremer joined Juve in 2022 for €44m and has missed just six minutes of league football so far this season, helping his side compete for the Serie A title as they sit a solitary point behind leaders Inter.

The Brazilian has only netted twice this season but he has been renowned for his aerial duels, having scored 11 times in 98 games for Torino prior to his transfer to Juve.

United, in comparison, have not had a centre-back score more than two goals in a league campaign since Chris Smalling’s four-goal haul in the 2017/18 season.

The club’s biggest goal threat from defence in recent years has been Harry Maguire but the England international will likely be sacrificed if United were to make a move for Bremer in the summer.

United will be forced to sell players before making substantial signings and, with Juve reportedly putting a price tag of €70m on their star defender, Maguire could have an uncertain future at Old Trafford as Ten Hag looks to add more quality at both ends of the pitch.