Two players Man Utd can sign after Maguire’s injury scare

Harry Maguire sustained an injury in the goalless FA Cup third round draw with Wolves but played on for the remainder of the match. The 26-year-old failed a fitness test at the 11th hour for the League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City and was expected to be out for the rest of the month. However, The Metro recently claimed that the player is recovering steadily. 

Phil Jones replaced Maguire and suffered cramp towards the end of the chastening 3-1 defeat and Victor Lindelof could be United’s only fit senior centre-half from here on. 

United signed Maguire from Leicester City in the summer to help bolster their fragile backline. He has been a solid, if unspectacular, presence in the centre of the defence in 2019-20, playing every minute of United’s 21 Premier League games.

With the Englishman marshalling the backline, United’s defensive record this season stands at 25 goals conceded in 22 league games, an average of just under 1.2 per match. [Courtesy: Whoscored]

Although defenders Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are nearing returns from injury, United will need a solid defender to guide them to a top-four finish.

Here are 2 players United can sign on loan in January.

Samuel Umtiti – Barcelona

United have been linked with Samuel Umtiti for quite some time, although the 26-year-old defender has struggled with injuries during his time with Barcelona.

Umtiti left Lyon for the Nou Camp in 2016 but he has only made 105 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons with the club.

He recently fell out with Barca chiefs and the Catalan giants should allow the player to leave on loan in January with an option to buy him in the summer. The La Liga giants have already proven that they can make do without the Frenchman, as boss Ernesto Valverde has only started Umtiti five times in 11 games since he recovered from his latest injury.

Daniele Rugani – Juventus

Daniele Rugani could leave the Italian champions this month since the 25-year-old has seen his minutes become quite limited this season. Sarri has only played the defender, who has seven caps for Italy, three times this season, with the majority of his time spent warming the bench. 

If a previous report from The Sun is to be believed, the Red Devils were also interested in securing the defender’s services. 

As far as Juventus are concerned, sending him out on loan for the remainder of the season would be the best way to eventually get him off their books. And United could do with a player of his calibre.