Real Madrid not in race for Manchester United-linked defender at Sporting Lisbon

Manchester United will be in the market for new defenders when the transfer window opens.

It remains to be seen how much money Erik ten Hag will have available to him in January, so the manager may have to wait until the summer to get the players he wants. We are also waiting on an announcement from the club on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to buy 25% of the club.

There’s also reason to believe Ratcliffe won’t come in and instantly spend big. He will want to ensure the right staff are helping Ten Hag, with plans to introduce a new structure of football experts.

Until the ownership situation is solved, even for the short-term, Ten Hag can’t plan too far ahead. The Dutchman needs to focus on getting results and United climbing back up the Premier League table.

One defender linked with a move to United is Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

According to Spanish publication Sport, United are among several teams to have been linked with the centre-back. One of those clubs was Real Madrid but reports now suggest they do not plan to enter the January transfer window whatsoever.

United need new defenders because Raphael Varane isn’t getting any younger, Harry Maguire may be in good form but he doesn’t meet the required standards, and we definitely need a new right-back.

An injury crisis at Old Trafford has resulted in some very question line-ups. That said, as fans we know our role is to get behind whatever team Ten Hag names to beat the opposition.

Is Inacio what United need at the back?

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