Manchester United are expected to sign at least one centre back this summer and Rio Ferdinand may have found the ideal signing.
Erik ten Hag is now staying at Manchester United and will be given the chance to bounce back from a disappointing season.
The Dutchman still managed to win another trophy, bringing the FA Cup trophy back to Old Trafford.
Ineos will now expect better performances and results having chosen to back Ten Hag rather than sack him.
Ten Hag will certainly need new signings this summer and there is an expectation that United will sign at least one centre back.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is the top target with Sir Jim Ratcliffe believing that United are the ‘only serious suitors’ for his signature.
The problem is that Branthwaite will cost an enormous fee and United may be forced to consider some cheaper options this summer.
Kevin Danso on Manchester United recommendation
United may have one eye on Euro 2024 this summer in an attempt to uncover a gem in the transfer market.
Austrian defender Kevin Danso could be one name on the radar – at least if United have listened to Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand suggested back in October that United should be looking into signing Danso this summer.
The 25-year-old – formerly of Reading and Milton Keynes Dons – had a loan spell with Southampton during the 2019-20 season.
Now a key player at Lens and one of the top centre back in Ligue 1, Danso has also racked up 20 caps for Austria.
A huge presence at 6ft 3in tall, Danso could bolster United’s options at the back without breaking the bank.
Danso has now reacted to Ferdinand’s comments whilst speaking to iNews ahead of Euro 2024.
The Lens star admitted that he actually used to watch videos of Ferdinand to try and help his own defending, noting that the former United hero was one of his role models.
Danso added that Ferdinand’s comments were flattering and the fact that he backed him for a move to United means he must be doing something right.
Danso isn’t letting those comments go to his head though, vowing to ‘keep working’ over in France.
“He was one of my centre-back role models,” said Danso. “He played in the best centre-back partnership in Manchester United history, [Nemanja] Vidic and Ferdinand.”
“I used to watch his videos, how he used to defend. To have somebody like that even to know my name, to know who I am, was mind-boggling to me. I just want to be on these people’s radar so it must mean you’re doing something well. It’s flattering, but being in the Premier League helped me to remember you’ve got to keep your foot on the gas to keep working,” he added.
Danso could feature under Ralf Rangnick this summer
Danso may not be a household name but he could be on show for Austria at Euro 2024.
Former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick guided Austria to the finals in Germany having only lost one game in qualifying, conceding only seven goals in eight games.
Danso only featured in three games in qualifying but has started three of Austria’s last five friendlies.
Rangnick has a number of centre back options at his disposal, including Feyenoord’s Gernot Trauner, Freiburg’s Philipp Lienhart, Bologna’s Stefan Posch and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Max Wober.
That means Danso will face a fight for a spot in the starting XI but his recent friendly appearances will surely give him a chance to shine.
United may well be watching closely with Danso certainly a cheaper alternative to Branthwaite if more of an unknown quantity in the Premier League.