[H1]According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United could be monitoring Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Van de Ven this weekend as a potential replacement for Lisandro Martínez.

Manchester United plans to rebuild its defence this summer, but many variables still need to be confirmed before official transfers can be completed.

The main priority for summer 2025 is bringing in a new left-back, with Lewis Hall likely to be a primary target again, and changes could also occur in the centre-back position. Carrick currently has five centre-backs to choose from, but this position remains uncertain for next season, and the future of some players at Old Trafford will be determined over the next seven to eight months.

The contracts of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are both set to expire at the end of this season, although Manchester United has the option to extend both by one year. Matthijs de Ligt also needs to prove himself again after being sidelined for 10 months due to a back injury.

Leny Yoro, 20, hopes to be closer to a regular starting place by the end of this season, while Willy Kambwala, 19, will be competing for a spot with Martínez. Maguire will turn 34 in March, and Manchester United may consider summer 2025 an appropriate time to move on from him, while Martínez's future could be one of the most talked-about topics this season.

Martínez has been a regular starter under Carrick when fit, but injuries have been his biggest issue during his four years at Manchester United. Before the start of this season, he had only been a starter in 65 of 152 possible Premier League matches since joining Manchester United from Ajax. Given that he will turn 29 in January, he needs a season of consistent performance and guaranteed availability to earn a new contract.

Martínez's passing ability, particularly his capacity to play forward passes to midfield and attack that break defensive lines, is a significant advantage for Manchester United. If he can stay healthy, Manchester United would have little reason not to offer him a new contract, but he has suffered serious knee and foot injuries during his time there.

Should Manchester United decide to seek a replacement, they would consider another left-footed centre-back, and Tottenham Hotspur's Van de Ven would be a prime target. Van de Ven is more skilled at carrying the ball forward than passing, but his pace not only helps in defence but also enables the team to advance quickly on attack.

Manchester United witnessed his abilities in a match in September 2024. On that occasion, Van de Ven made a long run at Old Trafford to assist Brennan Johnson, helping Tottenham Hotspur secure a 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

The 25-year-old Van de Ven recently signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur, but he has still been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool recently. Should Tottenham Hotspur underperform again this season, it is not impossible that Van de Ven could seek a transfer.

This weekend, Van de Ven will have another opportunity to prove himself at Old Trafford, while Manchester United is also looking at possible defensive signings for next summer. This is also a chance for Martínez to demonstrate his fitness and prove he can stay healthy throughout the season.

Traduzido por IA.

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