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After a disastrous season last time out in which Manchester United conceded a record 85 goals in all competitions, INEOS decided to strengthen the backline considerably in the summer, bringing in two centre-backs.
Matthijs de Ligt’s presence has already helped the Red Devils notch three clean sheets in their last three games, a huge improvement on last season.
But the capture of the summer was arguably Leny Yoro from Lille, especially as Real Madrid were considered frontrunners for the Frenchman’s signature.
However, the 20-time English league champions gazumped the Madrid giants and ended up securing one of Europe’s finest, leaving Los Blancos light at the back.
Real planning revenge
They are bound to strengthen next summer and as HITC Football have pointed out, three of their four targets are also being eyed by the Old Trafford side.
United’s attempts at signing Jarrad Branthwaite are well known with Everton rejecting two bids, with the last one worth £50 million.
But the Toffees held firm on what INEOS believed was an unrealistic valuation and the England international ended up staying at Goodison Park.
But given Everton’s poor start to the season, Branthwaite is unlikely to remain at the club for too long with United expected to come back next summer.
Another defender the three-time English league champions were looking at is Nottingham Forest’s Murillo with the Brazilian going from strength to strength this season.
The young defender had enhanced his reputation last season, ranking in the top two percent for successful take-ons and in the top three percent for clearances as per Fbref.
The former Corinthians star has been one of the standout stars so far this season, with Forest beating sitting pretty in eighth, having beaten Liverpool and grabbing a draw against Brighton.
And apart from the aforementioned duo, United also looked at Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur and while the Lilywhites are looking at offering him a new deal, the World Cup winner is desperate to play for a team capable of winning trophies.
And that is where Real come in with all three on their radar and they could be about to take revenge on United for what they did in the summer with Yoro, especially if they manage to sign Branthwaite from under United’s nose.
Real eyeing United targets
“HITC understands that Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning European Champions – who missed out on Leny Yoro to Manchester United in July – have been doing their homework on Murillo recently.
“Another name to keep an eye on, meanwhile, is that of Jarrad Branthwaite. Now, one-time England international Branthwaite is under consideration by Real Madrid. A natural left-sided centre-half, like Murillo, he could be viewed as a long-term replacement for David Alaba.”
Spurs are unlikely to sell Romero to United but Branthwaite and Murillo make sense due to their ability to play on the left-hand side of the defence, a profile the team lacks at the moment.
And it is expected to be another blockbuster transfer battle between the two European giants next summer and INEOS have already shown, they are not one to back off from a challenge.
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