Manchester United significantly strengthened their backline this past summer, choosing to bring in Leny Yoro from Lille and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
However, with the young Frenchman out injured and the Netherlands international just becoming match-fit, the Red Devils have still conceded five times in their last two league games.
Erik ten Hag was forced to start Harry Maguire in the first two league games but it is clear that he cannot be the long-term answer at the back.
Veteran Jonny Evans was kept on mainly as a backup while Victor Lindelof remained only due to injury and wage concerns. All three are not expected to remain beyond next season.
CB additions being planned
Jarrad Branthwaite is still the club’s top target after missing out on him this summer while Turkish outlet Milliyet have claimed United are eyeing Trabzonspor’s highly-rated academy product Ali Şahin Yılmaz.
The young Turk is yet to break into the Trabzonspor senior team but was on the bench for their previous league game and is close to earning his debut.
United scouts were in attendance to watch Turkiye U20 take on their English counterparts with the 20-year-old impressing with his performance.
He has been noted as one of the “players to follow” with the scouts sending back a glowing report to the club.
United scout Ali Şahin Yılmaz
“Ali Şahin Yılmaz, whom Trabzonspor have promoted to its senior squad despite being 20 years old, has managed to enter the “players to follow” list of Manchester United, one of the world’s leading clubs.
“Ali Şahin, who has not yet played for the A team, was on the bench for the last match against Eyüpspor. Despite not being in the core squad of U20 National Team, the Trabzonspor player, who played in the England match, caught the eye with the football he played.
“Ali Şahin Yılmaz, who was successful in the 1-1 draw between the U20s and England, was appreciated by the United scouts with his football and a positive report was given to the club about him.”
Yılmaz has a contract with the Turkish side until June 2027 after signing a new deal in July but the report has no mention of an impending approach.
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