MANCHESTER UNITED ‘have no plans’ to sign a new centre-half despite their defensive horror-show in the 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Captain Harry Maguire was partnered by Victor Lindelof at the back, but both looked well off the pace as the Eagles romped to victory.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were run ragged by Crystal Palace at the weekendCredit: Getty – Pool
United reject Wilfried Zaha in particular gave Lindelof a torrid time and helped himself to two goals.
Even Maguire looked low on confidence after a tough summer that saw him arrested and charged for his part in a brawl on his holidays in Mykonos.
He has appealed the suspended sentence handed out to him by the Greek courts.
But according to The Athletic, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not planning on bringing in another centre-back in the transfer window.
That means the likes of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe will be the back-up for the current first-choice pair.
After the miserable loss in their season opener, United gaffer Solskjaer refused to blame the lack of transfer activity on their shock defeat.
He said: “We are always looking to improve if there is something available at the right price.
“You can see we are short and they deserved the points. They were sharper than us in challenges, tackles.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly not on the lookout for another centre halfCredit: AP:Associated Press
“If you look at the players we have on the pitch and on the bench and not here we have to look within first and know we can perform better.
“It was an off day, everyone knows they can improve and we will improve.”
Even defender Luke Shaw called on the club to sign some more players after the home defeat.
Shaw said: “We are a very good group, but personally I think we need more players to strengthen the squad.
“It can give us a boost. When you look around at how other teams are strengthening their teams, then we must also do it to keep up with the others.”
The Red Devils are still in the hunt for Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho, and are reportedly close to snapping up Porto left-back Alex Telles.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘tells Jadon Sancho Man Utd deal is close’ with pair ‘in regular contact’ as negotiations continue
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
