Confirmed: Man Utd miss out on Ten Hag's top transfer target

James Shearman

• Updated: 19 Aug 2023 11:12 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United have missed out on Erik ten Hag's top centre-back target, Benjamin Pavard.

Ten Hag was looking to add another quality defender to his squad, due to Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof's poor injury record and Harry Maguire being linked with an exit from the club.

And Pavard was reportedly made available by Bayern for a reasonable fee in the region of £30 million.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd transfer plans in jeopardy as Maguire and Amrabat deals stall

However, Inter Milan were set to beat United to his signature, with the two clubs close to agreeing a fee.

Although, it now seems that Pavard will stay at Bayern, given that Josip Stanisic will likely be leaving on loan to Bayern Leverkusen.

Man Utd to sign centre-back

Manchester United are in talks to sign 35-year-old defender Jonny Evans for the 2023-24 season.

Evans signed a short-term deal last month to help out the club during pre-season.

The Northern Ireland international featured against Lyon, Wrexham, Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao.

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He was not expected to play a part in United's Premier League campaign but things have changed.

"In this moment, he is not [under contract] but we are talking," said manager Erik ten Hag.

"We will see. We are in talks and when we have news we will bring it."

But Ten Hag should not want Evans in his first-team squad - United fans certainly won't.

The centre-back, who left United in 2015, is no longer at the level to be a part of the playing squad and has should not be offered a new deal.