Maguire’s heir? Man Utd told to sign ‘top’ EPL captain who would instantly improve their backline | OneFootball

Manchester United have been urged to snap up Brentford captain Nathan Collins to bolster their leaky defence.

Last season, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez formed a strong partnership under Michael Carrick.

However, the duo haven’t been as solid since the start of the new campaign, while Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven haven’t convinced either when given the chance.

Therefore, Gordon Strachan believes the club must address this issue, naming a Premier League stalwart capable of strengthening the backline.

Gordon Strachan wants Nathan Collins at Man Utd

The former Man Utd midfielder is a big fan of Collins, who has been a key player at Brentford over the past three years.

Strachan thus believes the 25-year-old Irishman is worthy of an opportunity, as he has all the attributes United’s backline is currently lacking.

“I think the problem for Michael Carrick is the defence. I don’t think you can challenge for the Champions League or Premier League, because when you’re coming up against the best, you need the defence,” argued the former Scotland head coach (via Metro).

“It’s just funny to me that I go and watch Brentford, and I watched Nathan Collins. What a good player he is. Could somebody not sign him?”

Collins, who began his career at Cherry Orchard FC, moved to England in 2016, joining Stoke’s academy. After spells at Burnley and Wolves, he signed for Brentford in the summer of 2023 on a deal worth £24 million.

But despite his exploits in West London, he has gone under the radar, as Strachan puts it.

“That’s not as flamboyant a name that anybody’d want at Man United. They want something really tricky.

“But that guy is a top centre-half. You don’t have to scour the world when it’s right in front of you.”

Could Man Utd move to Collins next summer?

(Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

After the attacking overhaul in 2025 and this summer’s midfield reboot, we’ve been told that 2027 will be the year when Man Utd finally upgrade their backline.

Signing a new left-back should be the priority, and INEOS will be urged to act in January rather than wait for the summer.

However, a new centre-back could also come in handy, especially with Maguire (33) running on an expiring contract.

Like the England international, Collins is a physically imposing defender, but he’s more involved in the buildup as the table below demonstrates.

(Stats via DataMB)

The 25-year-old is also a natural leader, which is the sort of character that the United squad currently lacks.

However, Brentford certainly wouldn’t relinquish their skipper without a proper fight. With his contract running until June 2029 and containing a two-year option, they won’t be in a hurry to sell.

Transfermarkt estimates Collins’ value at €30 million (circa £26 million), but the Bees would likely demand a much higher transfer fee, especially in an inflated market.