Manchester United have been doing work on a deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Murillo this summer, with the centre-back now a target alongside teammate Elliot Anderson.
That is despite the fact Michael Carrick has insisted he isn’t worried about the lack of options at the heart of defence, saying: “It’s not an area of concern for me at this moment in time.
“At the moment and timing-wise talking about the summer and what goes beyond that, I think it’s difficult to elaborate on that really. Licha [Martinez] is actually missing games for a different reason at the minute, which we won’t go into, but I understand why you are asking it.
“But, no, I haven’t got concerns. I think we’ve got a mixed blend there of experience, of real quality and some young I’d say more than talented [players] really.”
Due to injury problems, Noussair Mazaroui was given the nod at centre-back for the recent trip to Stamford Bridge, and Carrick’s side kept a clean sheet in an impressive 1-0 victory.
Harry Maguire has also been tied down until the end of next season, with an option for an extra year, which may explain why bringing in a centre-back doesn’t appear to be the manager’s number one priority ahead of the summer transfer window.
Signing a new midfielder will be important though, with Casemiro’s contract set to expire in the summer, and the Red Devils want to sign Nottingham Forest star Anderson, although David Ornstein has confirmed the Tricky Trees are set to hold out for a big fee.
Man Utd keen on signing Murillo alongside Anderson
According to a report from The Telegraph, Man United are also interested in signing Murillo alongside Anderson, and they have already conducted background checks regarding a deal for the Brazilian.
Lisandro Martinez’s current deal is set to expire next summer, and the Argentinian has struggled fitness-wise over the past two seasons, spending time on the sidelines due to an ACL injury and a calf issue.
The Forest star was lauded as “absolutely monstrous” by scout Jacek Kulig during the 2024-25 campaign, and he has remained a key player this season, scoring in a 3-0 victory at Anfield in November.
Murillo’s Premier League stats 2025-26
2,133 minutes played
82 accurate long balls
223 defensive contributions
102 recoveries
6 clean sheets
8 chances created
24 blocked shots
With Casemiro, and potentially Manuel Ugarte, in line to leave this summer, bringing in a new midfielder should be the manager’s top priority, although it remains unclear who will be in the Man United dugout next season, after a new update from Fabrizio Romano.
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