When it comes to the selection of new centre-backs, Manchester United boss Ten Hag's first choice is naturally his former Ajax captain De Ligt. The 24-year-old Netherlands centre-back has decided to move after meeting with his mentor, however, the Red Devils have only seen him as a "spare tire", with the club's first choice being Jarrad · Branswaite, and after being hampered by Everton's £70million asking price, Lille's Yoro has become the new first choice. De Ligt will only be signed if Yoro also rejects the Red Devils.

Manchester United are offering an initial transfer fee of £42 million for Lenny, who has only one year left on his contract, plus a premium of £10 million in add-ons, for a total value of €60 million. The money would have been enough to sign De Ligt, and Bayern's asking price for him was €60 million.

While Manchester United have verbally agreed personal terms with De Ligt, they are yet to make a formal offer to Bayern as they continue to weigh up all available options. United believe the De Ligt deal could be easily done, and the club have already established a good relationship with De Ligt's agent Rafaela · Pimenta, the female lawyer who is the successor to the late agent Mino ·Raiola.

Of Joro and De Ligt, United are likely to sign just one. Ten Hag wants De Ligt, but new sporting director Dan · Ashworth prefers Yoro. One of the reasons is that we don't want the team to have more and more descendants of Ten Hag. In addition, United currently have two Netherlands players, Terrell · Malacia and Zirkze, and INEOS may be concerned that too many Netherlands could cause a split in the dressing room.

Ten Hag praised United's first signing of the summer window: "Joshua [Zirkze] is a player who can link up the game, he can drop back, he can push with the ball, he has good ideas, he has creativity, he links up with the dribbling. It gives us more options tactically, especially up front, because we have a lot of players who can benefit directly."

The Manchester United boss has emphasised the need for more new signings, especially with more games played in Europe this season. 'We know we need more players. With the arrival of the new European format, you will have more games, more intense competitions, and there is no winter break in the Premier League, so the January schedule is very intense. You need squad depth, and it's getting more and more like survival of the fittest."

In addition to the players, United have also given Ten Hag a makeover to their coaching staff this summer, with the departure of assistant coach Donny van der Gaag and forward coach Benny ·McCarthy, replaced by two former Eredivisie managers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rennie · Harker, as well as new goalkeeper coach Geller · Ten Roy Villar.

McClaren, another assistant coach brought with Ten Hag when he took over, could also leave soon, and the Nigerian national team has invited him to coach. McLaren, 63, is one of three shortlisted players for the Nigerian Football Association to replace Fineti · George in charge of the African Eagles.

McLaren, who led LinkedIn Glen, has already held talks with representatives from the Nigerian side, who want to decide a manager before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.

Nigerian newspapers claim that McLaren is willing to take a pay cut to coach Nigeria, and that his failure to work in Africa is his only flaw. McLaren's two rivals, the 55-year-old France Helley · Renard and the Belgium Tom · St. Fett, are undoubtedly the most famous.