Five centre-backs Man United could sign in January including Nathan Collins and two former Ruben Amorim players

Manchester United are expected to prioritise the signing of a central defender in 2026, with Harry Maguire in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.

There are also concerns surrounding the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, who has been out since February with a knee problem, and he has suffered six separate injuries during his time in Manchester.

It also remains to be seen whether Luke Shaw can be relied upon for a whole season considering his fitness problems, so bringing in a centre-back is set to be a priority next year, potentially as early as January.

With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out five realistic signings for Man United in that area of the field, including two players who will be familiar to Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim.

Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao)

Vivian's future is currently the subject of speculation, with the 26-year-old viewed as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga, and he is available for a bargain transfer fee.

Indeed, the nine-time Spain international has a €40m (£35m) release clause in his contract at San Mames, and Man United are believed to be one of a number of Premier League clubs keen on his signature.

Vivian has made 152 appearances for Athletic, scoring seven times in the process, and although his contract is due to run until June 2032, the presence of a low release clause complicates matters for the Lions.

The defender has now played 121 times in La Liga during his career, while he has also featured on 11 occasions in the Europa League, proving himself at that level of football.

Vivian is an all-round centre-back who is excellent on the ball, and he has the potential to be a brilliant signing for the 20-time English champions considering his skillset.

Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon)

Debast is quickly emerging as one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football, with the 21-year-old starring for Sporting since the start of last season, while he is also now a vital player for Belgium.

The centre-back thrived under Amorim at Sporting in the first half of last season, while he has started and finished each of his country's last six internationals, proving himself to be a key figure for the national side.

The release clause in Debast's Sporting contract is believed to be €80m (£69.2m), but Man United are allegedly only willing to spend €40m (£34.6m) at this moment in time - a quite significant reduction.

Debast has 53 Sporting appearances to his name, and at 6ft 3in, he is a real presence at the back.

Man United are not alone in their interest, though, with Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli also believed to be interested in signing him.

Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon)

Inacio has long been linked with a move away from Sporting, with the Portugal international thought to be admired by a number of leading clubs, but he has thus far stayed put in Lisbon.

The 24-year-old has made 218 appearances for his current side in all competitions, including 20 outings in the Champions League, while he has been capped on 17 occasions by his national side.

Reports in Portugal earlier this year claimed that Inacio could be available for €45m (£39m), with Sporting not against selling the defender despite his status as a key player.

Inacio has featured alongside Debast in the middle of the Sporting defence this season, and it would be fascinating to see which player Amorim picked if given the choice.

Barcelona are also thought to be long-term admirers of Inacio, with the centre-back believed to have emerged as a genuine option for the La Liga champions in January or at the end of the campaign.

Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Collins is an interesting case, with the 24-year-old potentially having the pick of a number of major clubs next year despite the fact that his contract is due to run until the summer of 2029.

The Brentford captain has made 77 appearances for the Bees since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers, including 42 outings in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.

The 6ft 4in centre-back is proven in the Premier League, and it is unlikely that Man United would have to break the bank to sign him, but Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be keen.

Brentford, for obvious reasons, will be desperate to keep hold of Collins, but they would find it incredibly difficult to keep hold of the defender if Man United were to make a move for his services.

Jhon Lucumi (Bologna)

Sunderland were heavily linked with Lucumi during the summer transfer window, and it is understood that the Black Cats were close to signing him at one stage, before Bologna blocked the move.

The Premier League club could return for Lucumi in January, but the 27-year-old could also be of interest to Man United, with the Red Devils thought to be long-term admirers.

The defender has made 111 appearances for his Italian club since arriving from Genk, and his pace and power could make him a real force in England's top flight, but he is also strong in possession of the ball.

Lucumi, who has been capped on 30 occasions by Colombia, has played in the Champions League for both Bologna and Genk, making 13 appearances in the competition, while he has over 300 career appearances to his name.

The South American is likely to be down the pecking order when it comes to Man United's centre-back targets, but it is not impossible to imagine the Red Devils making a move for him.