Aston Villa have deprived Manchester United of a left-back target for a second time after a report claimed a verbal agreement has just been struck.

Man Utd will preside over a defensive revamp in 2027, though the club’s predicament right now – poised to sack Michael Carrick and sitting inside the relegation zone – suggests arrivals can’t wait.

United have shipped 30 goals across all competitions this term, a figure that represents the most of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.

There’s a clear need for additions at left-back and centre-back, and over the summer, United did try to add at left-back.

Lewis Hall was their priority target, though moves for Alejandro Balde and Ian Maatsen, to name just two, were explored as well.

Both Sky Sports and Fabrizio Romano reported on United’s attempts to prise Netherlands international Maatsen out of Aston Villa. Ultimately, Villa refused to sell having already sold Lucas Digne to PSG.

And per the latest from Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, 24-year-old Maatsen will again be out of reach for Man Utd in January, and many subsequent transfer windows after that too.

Aston Villa verbally agree new contract with Ian Maatsen

O’Rourke explained: ‘Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement for left-back Ian Maatsen to sign a new contract at the club.

‘The 24-year-old has impressed with his displays so far this season and is now on the verge of sealing a new deal at Villa Park.

‘Maatsen’s current deal had been set to keep him with the Villans until the summer of 2030, but an extension to those terms is now just around the corner.’

The reporter concluded: ‘With an initial agreement now in place, all that remains is for the deal to be finalised and confirmed by both parties.’

Luke Shaw is expected to depart at season’s end, while the versatile but under-performing Diogo Dalot is about to lose a key backer in Carrick.

Accordingly, the Red Devils may need to sign not one but two new left-backs when overhauling their defence in 2027.

RB Leipzig’s David Raum has been linked throughout the late-summer and early-Autumn. But with a new manager soon to arrive, the club’s transfer targets may soon change.