Marcos Senesi: Man United eye bargain deal with Maguire’s future uncertain

Manchester United held talks with Marcos Senesi last month as the AFC Bournemouth defender considers his next move this summer, according to a new report.

Despite AFC Bournemouth losing a host of key players over the past 12 months, including attacking talisman Antoine Semenyo, who rejected Manchester United’s advances in favour of Manchester City this month, Andoni Iraola ‘s side remains one of the most entertaining to watch in the Premier League.

On their day, the Cherries are capable of giving any team a challenge — as the Red Devils discovered last month in the thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.

Over the summer, Bournemouth lost four of their back five, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi all departing for bigger clubs. This situation allowed Senesi to establish himself at the heart of Iraola’s defence, delivering a series of impressive performances this season.

The 28-year-old centre-back’s contract expires at the end of the season, however, meaning Bournemouth are braced to lose yet another defensive lynchpin. He has informed executives at the Vitality Stadium of his intention to leave, according to Italian newspaper Tuttosport .

Senesi is free to speak to other clubs this month regarding a free transfer in the summer, with a host of suitors expressing interest, including Barcelona and Juventus. However, Manchester United are also in the race, having made contact with the Argentine defender in December.

This was prior to the shock exit of Ruben Amorim , however, with the 40-year-old coach dismissed by INEOS this week after an explosive fallout with sporting director Jason Wilcox.

Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system requires a stable of central defenders larger than most coaches prefer, with a two-man centre-back partnership being more common throughout the Premier League.

It made sense, therefore, for Manchester United to target a defender with proven Premier League pedigree on a free transfer to strengthen their then-head coach’s backline.

However, Amorim’s departure has thrown this plan into disarray, with arguably too many centre-backs at Old Trafford now, rather than too few. Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are the most natural pairing in a back four, supported by Harry Maguire , Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, with the latter two youngsters keen for more minutes.

But, similar to Senesi, Maguire’s contract is set to expire at the end of this campaign. The Englishman turns 34 next year and his wages are not commensurate with a back-up role, despite the club having the option to trigger a 12 month extension.

If Manchester United were to secure Senesi as a replacement for Maguire — a younger, more versatile option on cheaper wages — without having to spend a penny, it would represent an astute piece of squad management, suggesting the club’s pursuit of the Bournemouth star will continue regardless of whoever the head coach is.

Senesi is also a potent attacker, despite being a defender by trade, having registered six goals and nine assists in 111 appearances for Bournemouth — a continuation of the attacking threat he showed previously with Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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