Manchester United is facing challenges due to injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez in the center-back position. The club is now eyeing Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw, according to reports from Christian Falk of Sport Bild.
Thiaw was let go by AC Milan despite being recognized as one of Italy’s top young defenders, endorsed by Paolo Maldini for his potential before Maldini himself was removed from his position by RedBird Capital.
This season, Thiaw has made a strong impact at Newcastle, performing well alongside veteran defender Fabian Schar. He has displayed impressive technical skills and athleticism, meeting the expectations set by Schalke and Maldini for the German international.
Manchester United boasts talented young center-back Leny Yoro, a former Lille player, and both Martínez and De Ligt are recognized as high-quality central defenders. However, Thiaw has been the standout performer this season.
The club’s center-back situation remains unclear as they intend to retain both Martínez and veteran Harry Maguire, who is still valuable to the team, especially if his salary is reasonable this summer.
If Thiaw becomes available, he would be an excellent addition. At 24 years old, he is entering his prime, completing 90 percent of his passes while also being effective in one-on-one defensive situations. Should Newcastle be willing to negotiate, he could be a strong asset for Manchester United.