da bet7： Michael Carrick is the latest man to take the hot seat at the Theatre of Dreams, and the interim boss will only lead Manchester United through the remainder of the Premier League season after their premature domestic cup exits.

da doce： Having lost the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils squandered a lifeline into the Champions League. In the league, they would finish 15th, their lowest finish since being relegated from the first division under Tommy Docherty in 1974.

Now, the rebuild is on, but United know that they have to return to European competition next season if they want to remain serious competitors.

Fifth in the Premier League and only just behind Liverpool in the top four, following Saturday’s stunning derby win, that’s well within the realm of possibility.

How Man Utd plan to invest in 2026

Man United need to sign a centre-midfielder in 2026, especially with Casemiro getting older and Manuel Ugarte flattering to deceive.

But landing a top centre-back could arguably be just as important, with Harry Maguire’s future uncertain, amid his expiring contract.

Lisandro Martinez has completed his much-anticipated return from injury, but the Argentine Butcher is diminutive and perhaps uncertain as to whether his future lies in central defence, with Como scout Ben Mattinson predicting he could develop into “a world-class defensive midfielder”.

United would need a replacement, were that to happen.

As per Spanish sources, Man United are preparing an audacious offer for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, ahead of Maguire’s potential exit from the club at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the biggest talents in English football over the past several years, and Forest know it. Murillo would fetch a hefty sum; his employers want £70m.

How Murillo would improve Man Utd

Murillo joined Nottingham Forest from Brazilian club Corinthians in 2023, and he has since become a mainstay for a Premier League outfit who have gone from strength to strength.

Powerful and dynamic, he has been bred as a modern-day defender, establishing an impeccable defensive game with counter-attacking Forest while still allowing his technical skill to shine through.

Murillo is so talented that he could quickly assert himself as United’s star defender, and given that he is left-footed, that rise could be to the detriment of Martinez as he looks to play his way back to form.

When you look at the Premier League’s xGA standings this season, you can see that United don’t actually concede that many chances, comparatively.

Premier League 25/26 – Least xGA Conceded

Team

Goals Conceded

xGA

(1) Arsenal

14

14.8

(2) Man City

19

23.1

(3) Newcastle

27

23.3

(4) Liverpool

28

23.8

(5) Man United

32

26.5

Data via FBref

This is to say that Murillo could prove the missing link, raising the defensive game at Old Trafford while adding flavour and flair besides.

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As per FBref, the Brazilian actually ranks among the top 3% of centre-halves across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons and the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90, showing that he is not only adept at dribbling with the ball, but that he makes things happen when ploughing past opponents and into promising positions.

Of course, all of that would be null and void if he didn’t defend like an absolute demon, but Murillo is one of the toughest-tackling and combative defenders in the game, described as a “monstrous” player by journalist Ryan Taylor.

Even with the Tricky Trees having regressed this season, Murillo has still won 59% of his duels and averaged five clearances per game, as per Sofascore, underlining his credentials and then some.

That kind of robust aggression is exactly what United have been lacking in recent years, and while Martinez shares some of those properties with his South American rival, Murillo is younger and billed as the next big thing. It would be a real statement of intent from INEOS.

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