Man Utd joins the race for “one of the best defenders in the PL”

The reconstruction of Manchester United under Ruben Amorim was simply turbulent.

A disastrous campaign of 2024/25 saw the club collapse in a 15th place in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

The result has been their worst league for decades and left them without European football this season, eliminating both income and prestige.

In response, the Old Trafford hierarchy has evolved aggressively on the transfer market this summer.

More than 200 million pounds Sterling have already been spent to call on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, a signaler that emphasizes juvenile energy and fire power attack.

However, even with these additions, there remains a blatant problem: defense.

Man United Step Up Chase for the captain of the Premier League

The UNITED background line has been on several occasions on the last mandate several times, and now the club seeks to secure the services of another Center of Center Commander.

Whoever reflects not only Harry Maguire in style and presence, but could also represent the long -term successor.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the mixture, but United seems particularly determined. Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, the man in question is Nathan Collins de Brentford, the Red Devils aimed at a “shock” swoop.

Tique by journalist Mario Marra as “one of the best defenders of the Premier League”, the 24 -year -old quickly became one of the most reliable central defenders in English football.

Brentford, however, is deeply reluctant to sell.

Collins only joined the club in 2023 for a record of 23 million pounds from Wolves and has since been raised to the captain, succeeding Christian Nørgaard.

His leadership qualities were highlighted by the new boss of the bees Keith Andrews, who described him as “natural leader” and at the heart of the identity of the team.

Standing at 1.93 m, Collins is both a physical presence and a figure composed in possession – features which made him a target for the elite of the Premier League.

The Republic of Ireland International, which already has 30 senior caps and two international goals in its name, presented in the defeat of the opening day of Brentford 3-1 against Nottingham Forest.

With its contract operating until 2029, the West London Club has no financial pressure to collect, especially after sanctioned the move of 71 million pounds sterling from Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United earlier this window.

Collins and Maguire: parallels and comparisons

Comparisons with Harry Maguire are inevitable.

When United signed Maguire de Leicester in 2019 for 80 million pounds sterling, he was largely considered to be one of the best defenders in England, who played for England during the 2018 World Cup.

Its air force and its ability to go out with the ball have been generalized.

Collins now has a profile similar to a younger age.

The two are physically imposing defenders, capable of facing long balls in the box and comfortable leading.

Above all, the two also aroused the interest of the rival clubs of the Premier League at a relatively early stage of their career, emphasizing their value perceived at the highest level.

Statistically, Collins began to go beyond the production of Maguire.

Last season, the Brentford defender played 38 league games, contributing two goals and five assists, a notable total for a half-center.

His defensive measures are distinguished: he ranks in the 97th centile for blocks by 90 (1.97), the 79th centile for authorizations by 90 (5.90) and the 85th centile for the antennas won by 90 (3.03).

These figures highlight both its defensive instinct and its reliability when Brentford is under pressure.

In comparison, Maguire, now 32 years old, remains a stable figure but no longer works at the same statistical level.

Last season, he played 27 league games and his influence decreased. A look at their direct numbers clearly portrays the image:

The data show that if Maguire always excels in certain defensive actions, in particular during the intensification of dribblers, Collins provides a superior shield in terms of blocking and disturbance of attack movements.

His talent for timely interventions reflects why so many high -level clubs have turned.

It is also worth considering the trajectory. Maguire’s market value, once higher than this price of 80 million pounds sterling, has now fallen at only 11 million pounds Sterling, via TransferMarkt.

Collins, at 24 and with a long -term contract, represents the type of profile united to covet more and more: the players have not yet reached their peak, with a potential resale value.

The symbolism of this pursuit should not be underestimated. Manchester United was defined by their defensive pillars – from Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand to Steve Bruce and Jaap Stam.

Collins may not yet be at this level, but the attributes he posted to Brentford and for Ireland suggest that he has the potential to become such a role.

For Brentford, keeping it maintenance is more than finances; It is identity and ambition.

For United, however, the question is whether they are ready to test this resolution – and potentially break the bank again – to secure the man who could be Maguire’s successor.