Manchester United will have a new number one goalkeeper for the 2023-24 campaign, with Andre Onana on the verge of making the move to Old Trafford from Inter Milan.
There was huge defensive improvement at the club last season under Erik ten Hag despite some heavy defeats, and the team will need to be strong at the back during the new campaign in order to be successful.
Man United are well-stocked at right-back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka's form in the second half of last season excellent, and there is an argument that the 25-year-old is now the number one in that position ahead of Diogo Dalot, who recently signed a new long-term deal at the club.
Marc Jurado is a very talented right-back, but there is no obvious route into the side for the 19-year-old at this moment in time, and there have been strong suggestions that Barcelona want to re-sign him.
On the opposite side, Luke Shaw is the clear number one choice, with Tyrell Malacia the second in command; the latter enjoyed a successful first campaign at Old Trafford, although he is currently on the sidelines through injury, and it is unclear how long he will spend on the treatment table.
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Brandon Williams is widely expected to leave before the end of the window, either on loan or permanently, while Alex Telles is heading for Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.
Alvaro Fernandez is another talented left-back at the club, and having excelled last season on loan at Preston North End, the 20-year-old is likely to head out on another short-term move this summer.
Harry Maguire's future is currently the biggest story from a defensive point of view, with the 30-year-old recently being informed that he is no longer club captain.
The England international only started eight Premier League matches during the 2022-23 campaign, having fallen down the pecking order due to some disappointing performances.
Maguire has received a pay rise in his contract this summer, but with his England spot for next summer's European Championship in severe doubt without regular action, there is a strong chance that the defender will be on the move during the current window.
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West Ham United are said to lead the interest in the former Sheffield United youngster, although the Hammers are only thought to be proposing a loan deal at this moment in time.
Maguire is thought to be open to staying at Man United, but it is difficult to see him receiving regular action next term, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane the first-choice pairing, and Victor Lindelof also ahead of him, with the Sweden international impressing in the latter stages of the campaign.
It is telling that Shaw was also picked ahead of Maguire in the middle of the defence when Martinez and Varane were on the sidelines, with the Englishman arguably now the fifth-choice centre-back.
Martinez has fully recovered from the fractured metatarsal that saw him miss the end of last season, and he is set to start the campaign alongside Varane in the middle.
Lindelof will then be the first-choice back-up, providing that he is happy with that role, as the Swede did signal earlier this year that he would consider his future this summer.
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Maguire's departure could lead to Man United entering the market for another centre-back, with Monaco's Axel Disasi thought to be admired.
Kim Min-jae had seemingly been the club's leading target in that area of the field, but the South Korea international has now made the move from Napoli to Bayern Munich.
Jonny Evans, 35, is back at Man United, signing a short-term deal to allow him to play in the upcoming friendlies against Lyon and Wrexham, and it would certainly not be a shock to see the Northern Ireland international return to the club on a longer-term deal if he makes a strong impression.
Eric Bailly is also back at Man United following a loan spell with Marseille, but he is not in Ten Hag's plans for the upcoming season and will be moved on over the next few weeks.
Providing that Martinez and Varane can stay fit, the Red Devils will have one of the best centre-back partnerships in European football, and while the midfield and attack is still in need of a boost, Man United's defence is shaping up nicely ahead of the new campaign.
Matt Law
