With Lisandro Martinez on the verge of joining Manchester United, the Red Devils now have 14 first-team defenders on their books.
As subjective as these ratings usually get, we have tried to rank all of Erik ten Hag's defensive options for the 2022/23 season from worst to best.
Worst
Jones was a reliable centre-back back in the day, helping Man United to a Premier League title. However, the 30-year-old has no future at Old Trafford following a series of devastating injuries.
The 20-year-old has failed to make a mark during his two loan spells at Derby County and Birmingham City. Man United should consider letting the Academy graduate leave the club this summer.
Williams' 2021/22 campaign on loan at Norwich City showed that the young full-back probably doesn't have what it takes to be a part of Man United's first-team squad going forward.
The centre-back wasted the 2021/22 season with unsuccessful loan moves to Aston Villa and Napoli. Tuanzebe was sent home from Man United's pre-season tour, indicating that a summer exit could be on the cards.
Average or yet to be proven
Bailly remains a favourite among Man United supporters but it's hard to see a future for the Ivorian at the club. The inconsistent 28-year-old is currently only the fifth-choice centre-back at Old Trafford
Unfortunately, Dalot is proving to be a textbook definition of an average player. At best, the Portuguese full-back does an adequate job in defence and attack without ever setting the world on fire.
Telles came to Old Trafford as a potential first-choice left-back but the Portuguese has failed to make the position his own. However, the 29-year-old remains a reliable back-up option.
Man United coaches have high hopes for Fernandez but Man United are currently stacked at left-back. The 19-year-old Spaniard is likely to leave on loan this summer in order to play first-team football.
Wan-Bissaka remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League when it comes to tackling but the 24-year-old's limited attacking abilities mean that Man United still find themselves without a proper right-back.
A lot will be expected from former Feyenoord man Malacia next season but it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old Dutchman has what it takes to step up to the English top flight from the Eredivisie.
Good
Lindelof, one of the most reliable players at Old Trafford, is a regular for both Man United and Sweden. However, lack of aerial presence remains a huge problem for the 28-year-old centre-back.
There's a good player in there, definitely. Man United fans are yet to see the best of Maguire (he seems to be saving that for when he plays for England) and it will be up to Ten Hag to help the Old Trafford skipper next season.
It took Shaw several years to finally recover from the devastating leg break but the 27-year-old is now a first-team regular for both Man United and England national team.
Ten Hag personally pushed to bring Martinez from Ajax to Old Trafford this summer. At 24 years of age, the Argentine has proper experience and aggression to improve Man United's defence in 2022/23.
Best
Varane is one of the few Man United players who can be genuinely considered 'world-class'. It took the Frenchman a while to adapt to life in the Premier League and next season will be defining for the 29-year-old centre-back.
One thing that can stop the former Real Madrid from realising his full potential at Old Trafford is his unfortunate injury record. Typically, these things do not tend to improve with age.
