---
title: "Manchester United: Journalist drops centre-back update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-journalist-drops-centre-back-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Manchester United News"
published: "2022-04-24T08:45:24Z"
modified: "2022-04-24T09:12:46Z"
---

# Manchester United: Journalist drops centre-back update

**Incoming [Manchester United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/) manager Erik ten Hag will most likely bring a centre-back to Old Trafford as his first signing.**

### The Lowdown: Ten Hag announced

The Red Devils officially [confirmed](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-appointed-as-man-utd-manager-official-statement) the Dutchman as their new manager on Thursday following weeks of rumours.

\[freshpress-poll id=”392753″\]

Ten Hag will depart Ajax in the summer and has signed a [three-year contract](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-appointed-as-man-utd-manager-official-statement) with United which includes the option of a further 12 months.

The 52-year-old looks set to lose a number of players over the coming months in what looks to be a major shake-up, with Ralf Rangnick revealing the club need to make as many as [10](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12593322/ralf-rangnick-warns-man-utd-need-up-to-10-new-players-in-rebuild-after-liverpool-thrashing-at-anfield) additions.

### The Latest: Galetti’s post

Journalist [Rudy Galetti](https://twitter.com/RudyGaletti/status/1517442617226801159) took to Twitter on Friday morning to provide a transfer update at Old Trafford.

He revealed that the ‘first signing of the Ten Hag era will most likely be a centre-back’, name-checking Ajax’s Jurrien Timber and Villarreal’s Pau Torres as targets and ‘hot names’ on the agenda.

\[freshpress-poll id=”393955″\]

### The Verdict: Correct move?

The Red Devils have struggled defensively this season and have kept just [one clean sheet in their last 11 games](https://www.skysports.com/manchester-united-results) in all competitions.

Their woes at the back continued without captain Harry Maguire on Saturday in a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, so a new centre-back seems to be a right call.

Ten Hag could then move on to a new central midfielder and centre-forward, especially with [Paul Pogba](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12594356/paul-pogba-likely-to-leave-man-utd-this-summer-with-representatives-in-talks-with-real-madrid-and-juventus), [Nemanja Matic](https://theathletic.com/news/nemanja-matic-says-he-will-leave-manchester-united-at-end-of-season/0I8SoCORUiDm/#:~:text=Manchester%20United%20midfielder%20Nemanja%20Matic,option%20of%20an%20extra%20year.) and [Edinson Cavani](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/03/edinson-cavani-set-for-manchester-united-exit-and-targets-la-liga-move#:~:text=Edinson%20Cavani%20is%20set%20to,another%20of%20Europe's%20major%20leagues.) set to leave on free transfers.

***In other news: [Ten Hag holds meeting: Man Utd now want 26-goal attacker who gives defenders ‘sleepless nights’.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/manchester-united-red-devils-eyeing-ajax-winger-antony/)***