“I wonder why no club has signed him. He is a great defender and he is a world class just like Sergio Ramos in Spain”-After Playing against Man City, Man United coach confirms that they will need another defender to avoid injury crisis during the season.

Manchester United is reportedly making moves to strengthen their defense by initiating discussions with free agent Mario Hermoso, following injuries to key players like Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro. The club recently confirmed that Yoro, who joined from Lille this summer, had surgery for a fractured metatarsal in his left foot, an injury he picked up during a pre-season match against Arsenal. The 18-year-old center-back is expected to be out of action for approximately three months.

Manager Erik ten Hag is currently facing significant injury challenges within his squad. Striker Rasmus Hojlund is also sidelined with a pre-season injury, which is expected to keep him off the field for several weeks. As United gears up for their Community Shield match against Manchester City, ten Hag hinted at the possibility of more absences.

“Harry Maguire missed the match against Liverpool as a precaution, but his availability for Saturday’s game is still uncertain,” ten Hag noted. “We need to evaluate his condition to determine if he’ll be fit to play.”

Ten Hag also pointed out that Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are questionable for the upcoming fixture. “We’ll make a decision on their fitness tomorrow,” he added.

In light of these setbacks, reports suggest that United is considering Mario Hermoso as a potential addition to their squad. Hermoso, a 29-year-old Spanish defender who most recently played for Atlético Madrid, is currently unattached after his contract expired in June. Renowned for his ability to play both as a center-back and left-back, Hermoso could offer much-needed depth to United’s injury-plagued defense.

Hermoso is reportedly looking for a three-year contract with a gross annual salary of €6 million (£5.1 million). Negotiations are said to be in the early stages, and the outcome remains uncertain. Over his five-year tenure with Atlético Madrid, Hermoso made 174 appearances and played a crucial role in their 2020/21 La Liga title win.

With other Premier League clubs like Aston Villa and West Ham also showing interest, Manchester United may need to move quickly to secure Hermoso’s signature. His experience could be crucial as United navigates a challenging start to the season with a weakened squad.