Micky van de Ven: United ready to take advantage of Spurs’ misery

Manchester United’s defensive resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick has not dulled the club’s urgency to reinforce the back line, and Tottenham Hotspur’s deepening relegation fears may hand Old Trafford chiefs the opportunity they have been waiting for.

United recorded their third clean sheet in six matches under Carrick during Monday’s 1-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, already surpassing the two shut-outs managed under former head coach Ruben Amorim. Yet the looming summer window is shaping up to be a defensive overhaul, with Matthijs de Ligt’s persistent injury issues, Lisandro Martinez’s continued physical setbacks, Luke Shaw’s chronic unavailability and Harry Maguire’s uncertain future leaving INEOS searching for reliability at centre-back.

Maguire’s contract expires in June and no extension has been tabled despite interest from several domestic and overseas clubs. INEOS have informed recruitment staff that Premier League experience is high on the wish-list, and sources say they have zeroed in on a North London solution.

Tottenham’s slide toward the drop zone has destabilised the club on and off the pitch, and their most prized defensive asset, 24-year-old Dutch international Micky van de Ven, has paused all negotiations over a new deal. Teamtalk reports that the centre-back, valued for his pace and dominant aerial presence, will seek an exit irrespective of whether Spurs survive in the top flight, with Champions League football his non-negotiable priority.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have already registered strong interest, but Hooligan Soccer understands United have jumped to the front of the queue. Old Trafford officials are currently in London discussing personal terms and a summer fee, determined to secure van de Ven before the window officially opens.

Pairing the Netherlands international with either De Ligt or Martinez would give Carrick’s successor a physically imposing yet mobile defensive partnership, an upgrade that United believe could propel them back into title contention. With Spurs braced for a fight to stay up, INEOS sense a rare chance to land a proven Premier League centre-back without entering a bidding war against Europe’s wealthiest clubs.

The next few weeks of negotiations could decide whether United capitalise on Tottenham’s turmoil and beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to one of the division’s most coveted defenders.