Cristian Romero sits out Micky van de Ven chase as United count centre-backs
cristian romero sits on the edge of a transfer debate, but Wes Brown says Manchester United do not need to join Liverpool in the chase for Micky van de Ven. The former United defender says the club already have too many centre-backs, with four recognised international players for only two spots.
Wes Brown on United depth
Brown asked: "Will clubs like Liverpool have a free run on Micky van de Ven if Manchester United don’t move for him?" He then answered his own point by saying United are already crowded in the middle of defence, where Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are all in the squad.
He was even more direct about the numbers. "I just think we have too many centre-backs at the moment and at least four of them are recognised international players with only two positions to fill so it’s really difficult." Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui can also play there in a back three, which adds another layer to the logjam Brown is pointing to.
Liverpool and Van de Ven
Van de Ven has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool, but there are no concrete plans to sign him yet. Brown said the Tottenham Hotspur defender has had "a really tough season" and added that teams will still be looking at him as an individual.
That leaves Liverpool weighing a different defensive picture. Brown said the club will lose Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer this summer, while Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are set to battle to partner Virgil van Dijk next season, with Joe Gomez remaining in reserve.
Bowen and Liverpool
Brown also pointed to Jarrod Bowen as another Liverpool option, calling the West Ham captain an ideal addition for this summer. He said Bowen is 29, noted that West Ham have gone down, and argued that those factors could make a deal easier as Liverpool look at their next attacking move.
For United, the message is simple: the squad already has enough centre-back options that Brown does not see a push for Van de Ven as the priority. For Liverpool, the gap at centre-back is the live issue, with Konate’s exit changing the shape of the competition for next season’s back line.
