'Hopefully he's option 5!' - Man Utd transfer target SLAMMED

7 Apr 2024 09:26 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Manchester United are in the market for a new centre-back, but signing Max Kilman from Wolves would be a mistake according to former Watford striker Troy Deeney.

United are enduring an injury crisis at centre-back, with each of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof sidelined. Even Luke Shaw, who can provide cover in the position, is out.

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United were likely to go shopping in the summer anyway, once the Sir Jim Ratcliffe regime is in full swing, and defensive stars like Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Clair Todibo have been linked.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

And Wolves centre-back Kilman is reportedly also on the Red Devils' shortlist. But Deeney, who scored four goals in 10 career meetings with Man Utd, doesn't think he is good enough.

© IMAGO - "Why not sign me?!" - Max Kilman is short of United's standard according to Deeney.

'A level that people can't get to'

"I do like Max Kilman," the striker told talkSPORT. "I just think there's a level that people possibly can't get to - I could be wrong! "Look at what happened with Harry Maguire, really good at Leicester, great player and all of that…"

United made Maguire the most expensive centre-back ever when they paid Leicester £80 million for his services in the summer of 2019. Despite remaining an England regular, he has dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford since.

He might not be the first in his position for sale this summer, with Ratcliffe determined to offload higher earners. Varane and his former Real Madrid teammate Casemiro are the top two in that regard. Varane's £17.7m a year is nearly twice Maguire's £9.9m.

Kilman is valued at €26.4m (£22.7m) by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, so might not break the bank, but Deeney warns against making a bargain signing.

"Playing for Wolves and playing for Man Utd are two different things, so if you're saying there's a shortlist, hopefully he’s like number five and there's four readymade that they go for."