In the Champions League knockout match between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, Maguire made another low-level defensive error that allowed João Felix to score with a header. The Red Devils conceded just one goal in the game and the crossbar contributed more defensively than Maguire. Therefore, the British media disclosed that Manchester United intended to buy another centre-back this summer, but due to the limited transfer funds given by the Glazer family, the club targeted the free market and hoped to sign Antonio Rudiger or Manuel Akangi for free.
Ralph Lonnick, from Germany, is a favourite for the Germany international, and Rudiger has yet to sign a new contract with Chelsea. Rudiger, 28, said he was now focused on fighting for Chelsea's title and making decisions about his future at the end of the season.
Although United are currently provisionally ranked fourth in the Premier League, they have conceded the most defensive goals in the top nine, conceding 34 goals in 26 rounds, twice as many as Manchester City, and the number of clean sheets in the league can be counted on one hand. Maguire's form has deteriorated severely, he mainly relies on physical defense, and his ability is definitely decreasing with age.
Rudiger has been chelsea's absolute workhorse this season, and his contribution is not only in defence, helping Chelsea to become the first team in Champions League history to win five consecutive home clean sheets. Chelsea conceded 18 goals in 25 Premier League rounds, almost half as many as Manchester United. And Rudiger's attack also played well, scoring 3 goals and having 4 assists, which can be said to be a knife guard.
After helping Chelsea win the Champions League, Club World Cup and other honours, Rudiger felt that his position in international football was no longer what it used to be, so he asked the Blues for a weekly salary of 400,000 pounds, while the club only gave 200,000. The two sides have not given in to each other and have not reached an agreement.
Giants such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are very concerned about Rudiger's contract extension, and his competition may be second only to Kylian Mbappe. According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United knew it would be expensive to pay for a new centre-back, while Rudiger could afford the high salary he wanted if he joined on a free transfer.
But Rudiger is not the only centre-back on United's signing list, with The German newspaper Bild saying the Reds are also interested in Borussia Dortmund's Arcangi. Akanji from Switzerland has recently been rumored to have signed up for Manchester United on several occasions, mainly because his contract is approaching its final year.
The 26-year-old Isanji is currently priced at £26m, which Borussia Dortmund spent £18m when it bought him from Basel in 2018, but now there are problems with the renewal negotiations between the two sides. Dort offered an annual salary of £6.7 million, while Akanji's agent demanded £8.3 million. Converted into a weekly salary, this equates to £162,000.
Germany's Bild newspaper said Manchester United was willing to give an annual salary of up to 12 million pounds. But the British "Daily Mail" insisted that Manchester United has not yet made official contacts, but is currently following the situation in Akanji. He can play at centre-back and right-back, and he's versatile.
In addition to Maguire's sluggish form, United may have one or two centre-backs left this summer. Both Phil Jones and Eric Bai are unhappy with the treatment of being on the cold bench at the club, while academy centre-back Tuanzebi could be bought out by Napoli. Manchester United's purchase of a new centre-back, whether it is a price increase or a real thing, the answer can only be revealed in the summer.