Man Utd transfer news: Sky Sports reporter has theory over ‘dangerous’ transfer tactic

United are desperate to sign a new centre-back with Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Yerry Mina on their wish-list. Their interest has switched between all three and Sheth thinks they are playing a dangerous game. The Sky Sports man thinks United could be using interest in each player to play clubs off with one another. Sheth told the Transfer Talk podcast: “I just think the chase for a few players here is quite intriguing. They were after Toby Alderweireld of course at the beginning of the window. “They’ve kind of been put off by his price. Then came a certain interest in Harry Maguire and now it seems they’re looking at Yerry Mina from Barcelona. There’s two ways of looking at this I think. “United have a genuine interest in all three players and they’ve got a list of targets or they might be using interest in one to play off against another to soften perhaps the stance of a particular club for example Tottenham or Leicester with regard to their asking price. “The interest in Maguire has to be said came at a time when there seemed to be a stalemate with Tottenham over Alderweireld. “Then the interest in Mina has come at a time when Leicester have made it clear Maguire is not for sale. “We’re told United are still in touch with Spurs about Toby Alderweireld but nothing will move until the price of Alderweireld is reduced. “This tactic, if that’s indeed what United are doing, could prove to be beneficial or could prove to be dangerous not only for United but for the potential selling club as well. “United may end up with nobody and the potential selling club may never get an offer like United are potentially offering for the likes if Alderweireld or Harry Maguire.” United take on Maguire’s Leicester on the opening day of the Premier League season on August 10 – but the England centre-back won’t be playing for either side. He is currently on holiday after the World Cup and the game will come too soon, according to boss Claude Puel. "If we are serious I think they cannot participate in the first game, with just five days training with the team," Puel said. “They normally need more time, but we will see together with calm. "We don't rush these players. It is important after the World Cup to work but also come back with the team and live with the team to find again the atmosphere of the club and the squad. "Of course Jamie and Harry are valuable players for us but we need to protect them. If they are available to play in their minds it is a good thing… but we have to take a protective decision from us."