United sidestep Senesi as Liverpool circle — Forest ‘monster’ Murillo looks the smarter fit

Forget the bargain-bin bunfight — Manchester United are set to give Marcos Senesi a polite swerve this summer. The Bournemouth defender, 28 but turning 29 next month, is expected to walk when his deal’s up in June and Liverpool are fancied to nab him, but United’s recruitment bods aren’t biting.

Why Senesi isn’t United’s cup of tea

Word is the Argentine doesn’t tick the age-profile or stylistic boxes the club want alongside their current options. Spurs, Villa and Everton have all had a nose, and while Juventus and Roma were offered the chance, they passed. According to The i Paper, Liverpool are the ones most likely to roll out the welcome mat, not United.

At Old Trafford the logic is simple: with Harry Maguire tied down until 2027 (plus an extra-year option), and injuries biting — Matthijs de Ligt sidelined for months with a back issue and Lisandro Martínez restricted to just 16 outings after two setbacks — any incoming centre-half has to be a long-term upgrade, not a short-term patch.

Enter Murillo — Forest’s ‘monster’ who fits the brief

That brings us to Murillo. The Brazilian has been a force of nature in a tough Nottingham Forest campaign, where they’re scrapping for safety with six games left. He’s aggressive, front-foot, comfortable on the ball and doesn’t mind the dark alleys of Premier League defending — the sort of profile United can build around for years.

Forest’s hand could weaken if the drop door opens. Even though Murillo is locked in at the City Ground until 2029, relegation tends to turn ironclad contracts into paper chains. If you’re weighing up the probabilities like the best betting sites, you’d say the stars align for a summer approach — United prioritising Murillo over Senesi looks the shrewder play.

Midfield still tops the shopping list

Don’t forget, centre-half isn’t even item No 1. A new midfielder remains the headline act on the recruitment agenda, with Forest’s Elliot Anderson high on the shortlist and whispers of contact over an £87m “freak” talent at a Champions League club. Defence will be addressed, but the engine room comes first.

Manager watch: patience, not panic

Off the pitch, the dugout picture is equally intriguing. United have held informal chats about alternatives to Michael Carrick and are keeping their powder dry until the season’s end. Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner are names to keep in your notebook, but there’s no rush for a snap call.

Bottom line: swerving Senesi isn’t a lack of ambition — it’s focus. United want younger, dynamic pieces who can lift the ceiling, not just plug gaps. Murillo, the ‘monster’ marshalling Forest’s back line, looks every inch that kind of signing.