Man Utd hold talks to sign 57-cap star with same agent as Mbeumo

Manchester United have engaged in talks to sign a new defender, having suffered a fresh injury blow during the international break.

Noussair Mazraoui was withdrawn during Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho on Tuesday, with the full-back seen holding his lower back as he left the pitch.

The extent of the injury is still unknown, but it will be a concern for Michael Carrick, considering injury concerns are mounting up in defence, with a number of other players still on the treatment table alongside Mazaroui.

In truth though, United’s defence has been far from impressive this season, and they are yet to keep a clean sheet in their opening five Premier League matches, after failing to strengthen at the back during the summer transfer window.

That is despite Gary Neville calling for INEOS to bring in two new defenders before the end of the window, saying: “They have got some individually decent defenders, but there isn’t a back four there and when it starts to get put under pressure and it starts to pick up a couple of injuries during the season, it will let you down. Michael knows that right now.

“If they could get a centre-back and a full-back before the window closes, that will stop problems that we know we’re going to see.”

As such, it may be a savvy move for the Red Devils to improve their defence during the January transfer window, and they have now been handed a golden opportunity to sign a versatile defender.

Man Utd engage in talks to sign Jules Kounde

REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man United have now engaged in talks to sign Jules Kounde, with intermediaries informing them the FC Barcelona defender is set to be available in the January transfer window.

However, there is widespread interest from elsewhere, with Xabi Alonso personally keen to take the 57-cap France international to Stamford Bridge, while he has also been offered to the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.

There have been suggestions the 27-year-old could be in line for a move to Saudi Arabia, but he would prefer to remain in Europe, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford, and there is evidence he would be a solid addition to Carrick’s squad.

Speaking after Barcelona’s victory against Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024, former Barca boss Xavi said: “He’s one of the best defenders in the world right now. Stopping Mbappé was a collective effort. Kounde did amazing against Mbappé but Lamine [Yamal] also helped him a lot.”

Kounde, who is capable of playing at right-back and centre-back, was also an important player in La Liga last season, averaging 0.5 blocks per 90 across 30 appearances, which was the highest number in Hansi Flick’s squad.