According to Fabrizio Romano, In January, Manchester United is planning to make a blockbuster move for a Premier League star, making them their “number one target.”

Wayne Veysey (footballinsider247) reports that a top source at Old Trafford has disclosed that the club is prioritizing a deal for the Crystal Palace defender. The defender is considered to be a potential solution to the current defensive dilemma that Erik ten Hag is facing.

At various points throughout this season, Ten Hag has not utilized his entire first-team defense lineup from the previous season of the previous season.

The fact that Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have recently recovered from long-term injuries does not change the fact that Lisandro Martinez will not be available until the new year.

Raphael Varane, on the other hand, is unable to keep up with his current level of physical fitness.

By making a comeback to the United first squad, Harry Maguire has instead accomplished something that could be described as a Christmas miracle. There is a possibility that the former captain of United was even the best player on his team during this period of time; however, this is a relatively low expectation.

It is not clear whether Maguire will continue to play for Old Trafford in the future, despite the fact that he has made such a remarkable comeback.

Ten Hag will not be looking to use this strategy in the long run, despite the fact that it plays to Maguire’s skills. In recent months, United’s back line has been playing more cautiously and deeper than they have in the past.

Consequently, the Dutchman ought to have a preference for a new center-back who is capable of being more reliably available than Varane while still fitting his style better than Maguire.

United has been keeping “close tabs” on Guehi, who has made significant progress since moving from Stamford Bridge to Selhurst Park in 2021, as stated by Veysey. Guehi has been transferred to Selhurst Park.

As a result, this is consistent with the reporting that was done by The People’s Person earlier this month, which indicated that United was interested in the defender.

The center back has shown that he possesses the versatile skill set that modern defenders need to have in order to be successful in today’s game, both on and off the ball. He has performed admirably in the middle of Crystal Palace’s defense.

Guehi’s exploits in the red and blue have even earned him a regular place in Gareth Southgate’s England team. His inaugural appearance for his country came in March of 2022, and he has been playing for England ever since.

Prior to the start of the season, there were rumors that Southgate was considering Guehi as a potential replacement for Maguire in the starting lineup for the Three Lions. There is a possibility that this will take place at the club level as well.

One of the potential issues that could arise as a result of United’s defense being exposed to aerial threats is the possibility of a chase for Guehi.

Varane and Martinez provided United with an outstanding combination during the previous season, which was a significant factor in the club’s success due to the fact that their playing styles were well suited to one another.

While Martinez’s aggressive and proactive approach was supported by Varane’s superior anticipation and aerial supremacy, Varane was the Argentine yin to Martinez’s French yang.

Although Guehi, who stands at a height of just under six feet, does not possess the same commanding presence in the air as Varane did when he was competing against Martinez, who is shorter, he is not considered to be weak.

Ten Hag, on the other hand, has a history of achieving remarkable success with Martinez and Jurrien Timber at the core of his Ajax defense, and as a result, he is not afraid to employ a center-back duo that is undersized.

When January arrives, it is possible that Guehi will be a part of the Dutchman’s newest defensive pairing.