There are quite a few problems going on in Manchester United’s defense right now. United conceded seven goals in consecutive defeats to Como and Bournemouth in late October. A heavy 4-1 loss against Como in the Champions League and a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
After these poor results, questions are being raised about manager Michael Carrick’s future, but the real problem has come to light because of defensive weaknesses. The club currently has some major challenges in defense:
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are still young centre-backs who are yet to fully develop.
Harry Maguire will be turning 34 in March, and he’s in the final year of his contract.
There are rumors about Lisandro Martínez leaving the club, and he could go to Barcelona or Atlético Madrid in La Liga. He previously had an outburst and dispute with the club management, but it was later resolved through talks.
Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, and Harry Maguire all have contracts ending next summer, while the club is planning a major squad rebuild in 2027.
Who is Calvin Bassey and why does Man United want him?
If Lisandro Martínez leaves the club, United will need a strong replacement for him because his departure would leave a big gap. That’s why United has set their sights on Fulham’s 26-year-old defender Calvin Bassey.
Bassey can comfortably play both centre-back and left-back, which is exactly what United needs. He’s a left-footed defender who plays an aggressive, front-footed style with strong tackling and physical commitment. His composure, progressive passing, and recovery pace fit perfectly in modern high-pressing systems.
Bassey has played 111 matches for Fulham and contributed 5 goals. He has even worn the captain’s armband under manager Álvaro Arbeloa. World-class strikers like Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen have named Bassey as one of the toughest defenders in the league in separate interviews.
“Playing against Bassey, which is how strong is he,” Haaland said.
While Osimhen said, “I would say Calvin Bassey first of all in training. That guy, he’s very strong. Really, very strong. I think currently now he’s actually the best defender in Africa. And of course, one of the best defenders in the Premier League.”
He spent 2 years at Rangers and reached the 2022 Europa League final. In July 2022, when Martínez joined Manchester United, Ajax signed Bassey as his replacement. Then in July 2023, Bassey moved to Fulham from Ajax for a €22.5 million transfer fee.
Apart from Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are also pretty interested in Bassey.
Fulham wants to give him a new contract because his current deal expires in June 2027 (with a 12-month extension option), but due to interest from other clubs, it could be tough for Fulham.
