Man United are ‘leading the chase for £86m-rated Benfica defender’ and have already ‘held talks with his agent’ ahead of potential summer swoop
Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to sign an £86m-rated Benfica defender in the summer transfer window.
Erik ten Hag has struggled to settle on a consistent centre back pairing this season following injury lay-offs for Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, while Raphael Varane is expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Bringing in a new central defender is a priority at United this summer, and they have already set their sights on a rising star from Portugal.
Silva – a seven-cap Portugal international – has starred for the Portuguese giants, who are currently two points clear of Sporting Lisbon at the top of the Primeira Liga table, albeit having played a game more than their rivals.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag is set to prioritise signing a new centre back this summer
Man United boss Erik ten Hag is set to prioritise signing a new centre back this summer
United are reportedly leading the race for Benfica defender Antonio Silva (pictured)
United are reportedly leading the race for Benfica defender Antonio Silva (pictured)
Ten Hag has been unable to settle on a consistent centre back pairing, and Raphael Varane is expected to leave the club this summer
Ten Hag has been unable to settle on a consistent centre back pairing, and Raphael Varane is expected to leave the club this summer
His deal at Benfica runs until 2027, but he has an £86m release clause in his contract.
United could look to trigger this at the end of the season, and have already made contact with Gestifute, the agency company that represents Silva.
Gestifute are well-known for working with Portuguese players, as they currently represent Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota among others.
Chelsea have also been linked with Silva in recent weeks, but United currently have the upper hand when it comes to securing his signature.
They have watched a number of his games this season, and reportedly ‘know everything’ about him as they ponder a summer swoop.
Silva is not the only centre back that United are interested in as they have also been monitoring Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old defender has impressed for the Toffees this term after returning from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven.
He has a long-term contract at Everton until 2027, and the Merseyside club have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on their prized asset in a bid to deter potential suitors.
The Red Devils won four Premier League games in a row, propelling themselves back into the mix for a top-four finish, but were also desperately disappointing in defeat against Fulham and also limped over the line against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
A number of United’s key players – Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Casemiro – struggled for form and consistency, but there were plenty of bright sparks to keep things ticking over for Erik ten Hag.
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There were genuine fears that Scott McTominay was done at Manchester United once his ‘McFred’ partner (yep, Fred) scuttled off to Turkey to join Fenerbahce.
But the Scot has been a goal threat all season long, arriving late in the area to score a number of decisive goals, and he was at it again in February to down UEFA Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes hasn’t been at his brilliant best – but has been steady / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages
Appearances: 6
Average rating: 6.6 (8,6,6,6,7,7)
Player of the Match: 0
The artist formerly known as Bruno Fernansch continues to polarise football fans across the United Kingdom.
If you’re a United fan, you probably love the captain’s on-field antics. If you’re not, there’s every chance you despise Bruno. And while his performances are still not at the standard some would demand of him, it’s clear Erik ten Hag still has the back of his skipper.
Andre Onana
Onana is finding his feet at United / Michael Regan
Appearances: 6
Average rating: 6.6 (7,8,5,7,7,6)
Player of the Match: 0
The pressure is beginning to ease on United goalkeeper Andre Onana, owing to a string of far improved performances.
Onana has been pretty busy in goal, making far too many saves for Ten Hag’s liking, and he’s singlehandedly kept United in games at times. Five wins out of six attests to how important he’s been.
Appearances: 5 (+1 N/A late sub appearance)
Average rating: 6.6 (9,7,5,6,7)
Player of the Match: 1
The future of Manchester United’s midfield is in safe hands if Kobbie Mainoo sticks around for the foreseeable.
Mainoo, who could be involved in an international tug of war between England and Ghana, scored one of the goals of the season in United’s thrilling 4-3 win over Wolves at Molineux, weaving past a number of players before arcing a superb effort into the corner of Jose Sa’s goal.
His level dipped a little thereafter, but the teenager still performed well in each of United’s Premier League wins.
Rasmus Højlund
Hojlund was United’s most impressive player in February
Appearances: 4
Average rating: 8 (8,7,8,9)
Player of the Match: 1
There can only be one Manchester United player of the month for February and that’s unsurprisingly Rasmus Hojlund.
The Dane averaged 8/10 in the four games he played before a unwelcome muscle injury ruled him out of United’s games against Fulham (a Premier League defeat) and Forest (a late FA Cup win).
Hojlund particularly impressed in the wins over Wolves and Luton Town, and has now registered seven goals in his last six Premier League outings.
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