Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will be hoping to advance further this year, especially with Champions League action returning to the Old Trafford pitch.

Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana are recent additions as the Dutchman has bolstered himself in crucial areas.

One defender is still needed, but it appears that the Red Devils are pursuing Barcelona center-back Andreas Christensen in an effort to strengthen their defence.

Andreas Christensen might be acquired by Manchester United.

According to reports from Spain (via Football 365), United has made Christensen a summertime offer in an effort to entice him back to the Premier League.

Ten Hag is alleged to have submitted a bid for €50 million (£43 million), though that bid included some add-ons and “variables.” The La Liga team is willing to sell the Danish defender for €50 million, but they want the entire price to be agreed upon, which may put a stop to any deal.

Given that Harry Maguire is expected to leave the team before the transfer window closes, it is obvious that United need at least another center-back this summer.

Harry Maguire might depart from Manchester United.

The Englishman struggled during the 2022–23 season, making only eight Premier League starts under Ten Hag. In terms of tackles made per game, he came in at a pitiful 18th place overall (0.5), and he came in at eighth place (0.8) for interceptions made per game, indicating that even when he did play, his impact was clearly diminishing.

Even during preseason, Onana yelled at him after he made a poor pass that gave Borussia Dortmund a chance to score. A potential move for Christensen would be bad news for Maguire because Everton and Tottenham Hotspur both appear interested in signing the 30-year-old.

The Dane has a lot of Premier League experience—during his time at Chelsea, he made close to 100 league appearances—and after helping the Blues win the Champions League, Ten Hag will be bringing in a player who seems to have a winning mentality.

Ten Hag wants his defenders to be able to play out effectively from the back, and his 94% pass success rate was the highest of any player on the Barcelona team, giving him an advantage if he joined United.

When compared to positional peers, the 27-year-old actually ranks in the top 1% for pass success percentage (93.7%), as well as in the top 10% for progressive passes per 90 (4.95) and the top 17% for progressive carries per 90 (0.99).

Maguire, in contrast, favours a more aggressive style of play. He performs significantly worse than Christensen, failing to place in the top 40% of positional peers for pass completion percentage (85.2%) and falling outside the top 50% for progressive passes per 90 (3.09).

The Barcelona star is clearly more in line with Ten Hag’s philosophy than the former Leicester City defender, and Cesc Fabregas, a former teammate at Chelsea, has even referred to him as “underrated.”

Although £43 million may appear to be a lot, given the qualities he would bring to Ten Hag’s team, it is a no-brainer if United want to win more trophies this season.