Manchester United encouraged to sign ‘top, top player’ in summer
Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has urged his former club to prioritise strengthening their defence during the upcoming summer transfer window, highlighting the need for fresh quality at the back as Old Trafford plots a major squad overhaul.
Butt, who spent more than a decade as a midfielder for United before moving into coaching and punditry, has been vocal in recent weeks about the club’s recruitment strategy, particularly after a challenging 2025/26 campaign where defensive frailties have often undermined title ambitions.
While the 48-year-old’s comments have chiefly focussed on attacking additions in recent years, he is now also advocating for reinforcements in the centre-half department.
Speaking to media outlets covering the club’s fortunes, Butt stressed that Manchester United’s defensive unit must be bolstered if the Red Devils are to compete on multiple fronts next season. He pointed to the level required to challenge for both Premier League and Champions League honours, suggesting that current options lack the consistency and elite quality needed at the top level.
Although specific names were not widely reported in his commentary, Butt’s message was clear: United must target a “top-class” defender who can lead from the back.
‘[Matthijs] De Ligt is a top, top player, but he’s had loads of injuries and what can you do there? You can’t get rid of him because you’ll lose too much money, you’ve got to get him fit and see what he’s about,’ Butt told Paddy Power.
‘So you’ve got Harry and De Ligt. Then you’re looking at [Lenny] Yoro, I think he’s a young player who’s going to be a top, top defender.
‘But it’s too soon for him to go and try and get us to the latter stages of the Champions League. I would loan him out.
‘[Lisandro] Martinez, every time he plays he does very well, he’s a good player, he’s a proper defender, he’s good with the ball, he’s a hard little sod.
‘But he’s injured too much, so I think they’re going to have to go and look for a top centre-back.
‘I don’t think it should be the first port of call, but I think if you want to get to the level where Man Utd should be back playing, I think go and get a top centre-back. Someone like a Rio Ferdinand, a top, really established player.
‘Maguire is older and De Ligt and Martinez get a lot of injuries, Yoro is the one that does keep fit, but he’s far too young to carry the back four himself. So [Michael Carrick] needs to go out and buy a top, top defender.’
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