Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'make Marc Guehi top January target'

By Ben Sully | 27 November 2023

Man United 'make Marc Guehi top January target'

Manchester United are reportedly planning a January move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after making the England international a top transfer target.

Manchester United have reportedly made Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi their top target for the January transfer window.

The Red Devils are keen to strengthen their backline in the winter after deciding against investing in the centre of their defence in the summer.

Experienced defender Jonny Evans was the only centre-back to arrive in the summer window, signing on a free transfer to return to the club on a one-year deal.

Unfortunately for Man United boss Erik ten Hag, the defence has proven to be a problem area in the first half of the campaign.

Lisandro Martinez, who made 45 competitive appearances last term, has only featured in six games this season as he continues to recover from a foot injury which has kept him out of action since September.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on November 1, 2023 © Reuters

Evans has been forced to miss the last two matches due to an injury issue, leaving Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane as Ten Hag's main central defensive options.

Varane's Man United future has been thrown into doubt in recent weeks amid talks of a rift with Ten Hag, although the Dutchman insists that the decision to not play the Frenchman is because he would rather see a player that is comfortable on their left foot operate as the left-sided centre-back alongside Maguire.

However, with the Red Devils struggling to establish a centre-back partnership this season, they are keen to bring in reinforcements during the January window.

According to Football Insider, Man United are plotting a move for Guehi after making the Palace defender their top January target.

Newcastle United's Callum Wilson in action with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, Jefferson Lerma and Tyrick Mitchell on October 21, 2023 © Reuters

The report claims that the 20-time English champions are keeping tabs on the player's situation ahead of the winter transfer window.

Guehi has featured regularly for Roy Hodgson's side this season, starting 12 of the club's 13 Premier League matches.

The 23-year-old has also forced his way into Gareth Southgate's England squad, and he played every minute of his country's final two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

While Guehi may have emerged as a priority target for Man United, the Eagles are under no pressure to sell with the player under contract until June 2026.

Guehi, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021, is closing in on a century of appearances for the Eagles, having made 96 appearances for the South London club.