Man United must think twice before signing one Nottingham Forest man, data exposes his limitations

Manchester United could sign a new defender in the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to The i Paper, Man United have shortlisted Nottingham Forest defender Murillo as a cover for Lisandro Martinez.

Despite already having five senior centre-backs in the squad, the Red Devils remain uneasy about their defensive depth.

Martinez has spent over 500 days on the sidelines due to injuries over the last three years.

He missed the start of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and returned only in November 2025.

He enjoyed a superb spell under interim head coach Michael Carrick but suffered a calf injury before the trip to Everton last month.

Matthijs de Ligt looked virtually undroppable at the start of the season but has now been sidelined for more than three months with persistent back problems.

Harry Maguire has also spent significant time on the treatment table over the past two years. The 33-year-old faces an uncertain future as his contract is set to expire at the end of June.

Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven possess great potential, but are still learning their trade in the most intense league in the world.

Murillo is not the right answer for Man United

As per DataMb, Murillo boasts a higher possession-won percentage, but he falls short in several other defensive metrics when compared with Maguire or Martinez.

When it comes to winning duels, Maguire is one of the best in the English top flight. His towering presence and powerful physique make him a formidable force in aerial battles.

Martinez is arguably the best ball-playing defender in the league. However, his influence is often overlooked because recurring injuries have limited his availability.

The Forest centre-back still lacks the physical authority to consistently dominate duels and could also improve the sharpness of his ball distribution.

Keeping Maguire for at least another year should be a priority for United.

If the club cannot reach an agreement with the England international, it would be wiser for the Red Devils to pursue a more proven centre-back rather than taking a risky gamble on Murillo.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .