Manchester United have used the last few transfer windows to remodel the more eye-catching areas of the squad, the departments that generate attention, headlines and excitement. The forward line has been refreshed, the midfield has been rebuilt, and now the harder truth has come into focus. If this team are to become genuine contenders again, the defence must be sorted out.

That is why the latest update carried by the Manchester Evening News feels important. United have been linked with Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, a player understood to be valued at about £42m, but the message from Turin appears straightforward. Juventus are not looking to sell.

There is obvious frustration in that, because Kalulu appears to be exactly the kind of modern defender elite clubs want. He is comfortable at centre-back, capable of operating at right-back and, crucially, has the mobility to cope in open spaces. Those are prized attributes for a United side that still too often looks exposed when opponents attack them directly and with purpose.

United’s recruitment across the last two summer windows has been heavily focused on reinvention in advanced areas. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko arrived in 2025 to sharpen the attack. Under Michael Carrick, the midfield was then given a major upgrade through the additions of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. It has been costly, ambitious and, in broad terms, understandable.

But all of that work only makes the next flaw stand out even more clearly. Teams hoping to climb back to the top cannot afford uncertainty at the back. The strongest sides do not just score goals, they eliminate chaos. United still seem too close to chaos in defensive areas.

Kalulu would have offered versatility as much as quality. Juventus clearly recognise that as well. Signed permanently after an initial loan spell and developed into a dependable option in several roles, he has grown into a more valuable figure than the fee paid to AC Milan may once have suggested. Clubs do not let players of that profile leave easily.

The issue is not limited to centre-back either. Full-back remains another awkward area. United decided not to sign a left-back during the summer despite concerns over depth and availability. Luke Shaw’s ability has never really been in doubt, but his reliability has. Patrick Dorgu provides another option, yet if he is also viewed as someone who can be used further forward, then the shortage still exists.

That is why Gary Neville’s earlier warning continues to linger. Before the transfer window shut, Neville said: “They have got some individually decent defenders, but there isn’t a back four there and when it starts to get put under pressure and it starts to pick up a couple of injuries during the season, it will let you down.” He added: “Michael knows that right now. If they could get a centre-back and a full-back before the window closes, that will stop problems that we know we’re going to see.”

It is difficult to dismiss that as simple pessimism. It sounds more like recognition of a familiar pattern.

Missing out on Kalulu would not, on its own, amount to a disaster. Every major club has players they admire but cannot sign. The real problem for United would arise if this becomes yet another case of recognising the weakness, identifying the right profile and still going into the season without enough cover.

There is a ruthlessness needed in squad-building. That means moving quickly from first choice to second choice, from the ideal answer to the practical one. United have already spent so heavily on the attack and midfield that leaving the back line underprepared would feel like constructing a grand house while ignoring the foundations.

Kalulu may remain in Italy. If that happens, United must ensure that the real story is not the rejection, but how they respond to it.

From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this report is as intriguing as it is concerning. Kalulu seems like the sort of signing that makes sense in every respect. He is the right age, he can cover more than one position and he appears to possess the mix of pace and aggression that the defence badly needs. So hearing that Juventus want to keep him is disappointing, but it also suggests United are targeting the right kind of market.

What matters now is whether the club move decisively. Supporters have seen United spend vast sums in one part of the squad while obvious weaknesses remain elsewhere. That cannot be allowed to happen again. There is enough talent in the front line now, and the midfield is full of options. If the defence still looks fragile, then all that attacking promise could be undone by one injury crisis or one poor run of form.

From a fan’s point of view, the biggest concern is balance. A proper team has structure. It has defenders who can stay fit, win duels and perform under pressure. At the moment, there are still too many doubts. If Kalulu is not available, fair enough, move on quickly and identify the next target. The anxiety only increases when United appear to spend weeks circling a problem without fixing it. Supporters can accept missing out on a player. What they struggle to accept is seeing the weakness in advance and doing too little to address it.