**United in Pursuit of Defensive Reinforcements**

Manchester United are reportedly in the market for defensive reinforcements, with a joint bid for Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui rejected by the Bundesliga giants. The Red Devils are looking to bolster their defensive options following summer departures and the injury to summer signing Leny Yoro, who is set to be sidelined for three months with a foot injury.

De Ligt, who has not travelled with the Bayern squad to South Korea on their pre-season trip, is a key target for United, with Erik ten Hag publicly declaring his side’s interest in the player he managed at Ajax. Mazraoui, who also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, could come in to compete with Diogo Dalot for the right-back spot.

According to reports, United’s joint bid for the pair was rejected by Bayern, with the club holding out for a higher fee. The Athletic claims that United hoped their joint bid would be enough to secure the targets, but the offer was rejected by the Bundesliga giants.

De Ligt and Mazraoui were informed that they were surplus to requirements ahead of the summer and reportedly understood that the club would sanction moves should suitable offers be made. However, the rejection of United’s bid has caused some confusion in their respective camps, with agent Rafaela Pimenta, who represents both players, bemusement by the apparent change in the club’s stance.

It is not yet known how much United put on the table in order to snap up the pair, although Bild reported that United had a bid of £30m for De Ligt rejected last week. Both players have reportedly agreed personal terms on five-year deals in Manchester.

Since arriving in 2022, Ten Hag has spent nearly £500m on transfers during his tenure, signing the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana, during his first two seasons in Manchester. This summer, Joshua Zirkzee and Yoro have been the main additions.

The spending surge is likely to be offset by departures, with United open to selling a large number of players in the squad to balance the books.

Matthijs de Ligt has not joined his Bayern Munich team-mates on their pre-season trip to South Korea

Noussair Mazraoui was linked with a move to West Ham before United registered their interest

Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with the defenders he worked with during his time at Ajax

Summer signing Leny Yoro will miss three months of action after suffering a foot injury in pre-season