Do Manchester United need fresh centre‑back blood amid injuries?

Manchester United have bolstered their squad this summer with a backup goalkeeper, two midfielders and a young forward, yet former Red Devils defender Danny Simpson warns that the club still lack depth at centre‑back, citing injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and the 33‑year‑old Harry Maguire.

The summer activity has focused on reinforcing the goalkeeping and attacking areas, bringing in a second‑choice keeper, two midfield acquisitions and a promising forward to add youthful options.

"Lisandro Martinez is injured, Matthijs de Ligt gets injured a lot and Harry Maguire is 33 now, so I think we could do with a centre‑back," Simpson told BBC Radio Manchester, emphasizing the need for fresh blood in defence.

United currently possess a wealth of experience in the centre‑back department with Martinez, de Ligt and Maguire, but injuries halted their playing time together last season, leaving the back line thin.

It is not yet known if Martinez will be ruled out of the start of the domestic campaign after the injury he picked up during Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain.

De Ligt last featured for United in November 2025 under Ruben Amorim, underwent successful surgery to address a back injury in May and is expected back in the early stages of the 2026‑27 season.

Although Maguire has featured in both United's pre‑season friendlies, de Ligt remains based at Carrington completing rehabilitation for his back injury.

With the defensive options uncertain, United may need to consider signing an additional centre‑back, while the recovery timelines of Martinez and de Ligt remain the main obstacles.