Manchester United want defensive additions this summer and may still have a chance to strike an absolute bargain signing.
United fans were treated to a rare moment of joy this weekend, watching a masterful 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Erik ten Hag saw his side stifle City for most of the afternoon with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez turning in a superb defensive display.
A 13th FA Cup is a great moment in a frustrating season and United fans may be left wishing there were more of these displays over the course of the season.
United being this solid at the back has been a rarity but fans will never see that Varane and Martinez partnership again.
Varane has confirmed that he is leaving when his contract expires this summer, so this was his final United appearance.
Manchester United want Tosin Adarabioyo
United must find a replacement for Varane and hope for an end to Martinez’s injury woes moving forward.
A number of centre backs have already been linked but speculation surrounding Tosin Adarabioyo just won’t go away.
Fulham centre back Adarabioyo is in the same boat as Varane in that his contract expire this summer and he will be leaving.
The Manchester-born defender is a man in demand and United may yet have a chance to bring him in.
The Northern Echo report that whilst Newcastle United are chasing a deal for Adarabioyo, that move is not finalised yet.
It’s stated that United have ‘held talks’ with Adarabioyo and hope to convince him into making the move to Old Trafford.
The report notes that United’s FA Cup final win on Saturday could be crucial.
United winning the FA Cup means Europa League qualification – and bumps Newcastle out of European action entirely.
That could give United a late boost in the race for Adarabioyo, who is expected to make a final decision on his future this week.
Jason Wilcox could be key
Former Manchester City talent Adarabioyo may well fancy a return to Manchester and the influence of Jason Wilcox could be key.
Wilcox has become United’s new technical director and he will have a major say on the summer transfer business.
Wilcox knows Adarabioyo very well from his time running the City academy and even made him the Under-18’s captain during their time together.
Newcastle have been leading the race for Adarabioyo but if anybody could launch a late push and actually tempt Adarabioyo into a move, it may be Wilcox.
Adarabioyo’s free agent status is certainly appealing and with United needing to spend on other areas, the 26-year-old defender could become the top priority after Saturday’s FA Cup win.