Manchester United stance on centre-back signing after Leny Yoro injury blow

Manchester United are expected to accelerate their plans to sign another centre-back this summer following Leny Yoro's injury blow.

United are set to be without their £60 million summer signing for around three months after he suffered a fractured metatarsal in their pre-season defeat to Arsenal last weekend. Yoro could miss as many as 15 matches after the setback, with Erik ten Hag limited in the options he has to replace him in the starting line up.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof started in the 3-2 victory over Real Betis in the early hours of Thursday morning, with Jonny Evans and Will Fish involved from the bench. Maguire is in line to partner Lisandro Martinez for the Community Shield against Man City next week and will likely start the season in central defence.

United had already been open to signing another central defender prior to Yoro's setback and are expected to make it a priority as they look to minimise the disruption to their side, with the injury a stark reminder of how few options they have in the position.

Yoro was United's priority addition in centre-back this summer and was the deal the club were able to progress the fastest. The club have not ruled out making moves for Matthijs de Ligt or Jarrad Branthwaite, but sources stressed these further additions would only occur for the right price and if they managed to sell players first.

United have already sold Willy Kambwala to Villarreal and are actively looking to sell Lindelof as well. However, they will likely only sell the Swede if they have a replacement ready to come in, given they would risk having just three senior centre-backs fit without him.

Erik ten Hag’s side have seen two bids rejected by Everton for Branthwaite and have verbally agreed personal terms with De Ligt over a proposed transfer. They could even look at signing a free agent or a loan deal in order to bolster their defensive options.