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Manchester United 'place six first-team defenders on transfer list'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 29 July 2022

Man United 'place six first-team defenders on transfer list'

Manchester United make Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe available for transfer, according to a report.

Manchester United have reportedly made Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe available for transfer this summer.

The Red Devils have made three new signings in the current market, bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, while the club are said to be targeting at least two more players before the window closes.

Malacia is expected to battle Luke Shaw for the left-back spot in the new season, while Martinez has been signed to complement Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in the middle of the defence.

Diogo Dalot is also set to start the season as the first-choice right-back, with the Portugal international in strong form during the club's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United are prepared to let Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Telles, Bailly, Jones and Tuanzebe all leave before the end of the transfer window.

Manchester United's Eric Bailly pictured on December 8, 2021 © Reuters

Wan-Bissaka started last season as the first-choice right-back, but he lost his position to Dalot under interim head coach Ralf Rangnick, and new head coach Erik ten Hag is believed to view him as surplus to requirements.

Telles was heavily involved for Man United in the second half of last season due to Shaw's injury issues, but the Brazilian has played in central defence and central midfield during the club's pre-season matches this summer, with Malacia now ahead of him in the pecking order.

Williams and Tuanzebe both spent time out on loan last term, with the former at Norwich City, while the latter had disappointing spells with Aston Villa and Napoli.

Williams did not travel with Man United on their pre-season tour due to an injury problem, while Tuanzebe was forced to leave the camp early due to a personal issue.

Jones also stayed behind in Manchester for a specialist training schedule, with the centre-back still bidding to fully overcome the knee problem that kept him out for a significant period.

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick and defender Alex Telles pictured in December 2021 © Reuters

Bailly has been heavily involved for the team during pre-season, but the Ivory Coast international is behind Varane, Maguire, Lindelof and Martinez in the pecking order, so he could struggle for action next term.

AC Milan and Roma are among the clubs to be linked with the defender, who has struggled with a number of injury problems since arriving from Villarreal in 2016.

The 28-year-old had a successful first season at Old Trafford, featuring on 38 occasions in all competitions, but he has not played more than 13 matches in a Premier League campaign since.

An exit for Wan-Bissaka could allegedly lead to Man United bringing in a right-back to provide back-up and competition for Dalot, as Ethan Laird is likely to depart on loan before the end of the window.

Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries has been linked with a switch to the 20-time English champions, with the Italian giants said to be keen to offload the Netherlands international in order to reduce their wage bill.