The Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag, is reportedly planning changes to bolster Manchester United’s defense. According to the report, he aims to lower the average age of the defenders by phasing out Jonny Evans (36), Harry Maguire (31), and Victor Lindelof (30) in the coming months.

Instead, Ten Hag is eyeing Matthijs de Ligt (25) and Lisandro Martinez to form his preferred centre-half pairing. However, there are concerns over De Ligt’s fitness and performance, particularly following his inconsistent season at Bayern Munich.

His development at United was also hampered by a foot injury that required surgery, sidelining him until November. In addition to De Ligt, United is exploring the possibility of recruiting Monaco’s Youssof Fofana.

Meanwhile, Burnley is seeking £30 million for Sander Berge. With the new season approaching, there are doubts regarding United’s reliance on Casemiro, given the issues observed in the previous season.

Marcus Rashford’s performance has been underwhelming, and there are high expectations for Zirkzee, a 23-year-old prospect who scored 12 goals for Bologna last season. Nonetheless, undue pressure on Zirkzee could hinder his potential, and United’s ability to score goals remains uncertain.

The success of these acquisitions is contingent on how well De Ligt performs. If he struggles with form and fitness like his time at Bayern, it could prove to be a costly mistake for the club.

Similarly, the ability of Zirkzee to deliver the required goals remains to be seen, especially considering Rashford and Antony’s inconsistent performances.