Manchester United’s rebuild under Ruben Amorim has been nothing short of turbulent.
A disastrous 2024/25 campaign saw the club slump to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
The result was their worst league showing in decades and left them without any European football this season, stripping away both revenue and prestige.
In response, the Old Trafford hierarchy have moved aggressively in the transfer market this summer.
More than £200 million has already been spent to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, signings that point to a focus on youthful energy and attacking firepower.
Yet even with those additions, one glaring issue remains: the defence.
Man United step up chase for Premier League captain
United’s backline was repeatedly exposed last term, and now the club are looking to secure the services of another commanding centre-half.
One who not only mirrors Harry Maguire in style and presence but could also represent the long-term successor.
Liverpool and Tottenham are also in the mix, but United appear particularly determined. Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, the man in question is Brentford’s Nathan Collins, with the Red Devils targeting a ‘shock’ swoop.
Tipped by journalist Mario Marra as “one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” the 24-year-old has grown rapidly into one of the most reliable centre-backs in English football.
Brentford, however, are deeply reluctant to sell.
Collins only joined the club in 2023 for a record £23m from Wolves and has since been elevated to captaincy, succeeding Christian Nørgaard.
His leadership qualities have been highlighted by new Bees boss Keith Andrews, who labelled him a “natural leader” and central to the side’s identity.
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Standing at 1.93m, Collins is both a physical presence and a composed figure in possession – traits that have made him a target for the Premier League’s elite.
The Republic of Ireland international, who already has 30 senior caps and two international goals to his name, featured in Brentford’s opening day 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
With his contract running until 2029, the west London club have no financial pressure to cash in, particularly after sanctioning Bryan Mbeumo’s £71m move to Manchester United earlier this window.
Collins and Maguire: parallels and comparisons
The comparisons with Harry Maguire are inevitable.
When United signed Maguire from Leicester in 2019 for £80m, he was widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in England, having starred for England at the 2018 World Cup.
His aerial strength and ability to step out with the ball drew widespread acclaim.
Collins now carries a similar profile at a younger age.
Both are physically imposing defenders, capable of dealing with long balls into the box, and comfortable leading from the back.
Importantly, both have also attracted interest from rival Premier League clubs at a relatively early stage in their careers, underlining their perceived value at the highest level.
Statistically, Collins has begun to surpass Maguire’s output.
Last season, the Brentford defender played 38 league games, contributing two goals and five assists, a notable tally for a centre-half.
His defensive metrics stand out: he ranks in the 97th percentile for blocks per 90 (1.97), the 79th percentile for clearances per 90 (5.90), and the 85th percentile for aerials won per 90 (3.03).
These numbers highlight both his defensive instinct and his reliability when Brentford are under pressure.
By comparison, Maguire, now 32, remains a steady figure but no longer operates at the same statistical level.
Last season he played 27 league matches and his influence has diminished. A look at their direct numbers paints the picture clearly:
Tackles per 90
1.54
1.05
Tackles in the defensive third per 90
1.18
0.61
Percentage of dribblers tackled
73.9%
61.1%
Blocks per 90
2.03
0.77
Touches in defensive third per 90
33.6
33.4
The data illustrates that while Maguire still excels in certain defensive actions, particularly when stepping up to tackle dribblers, Collins provides a superior shield in terms of blocking shots and disrupting attacking moves.
His knack for timely interventions reflects why so many top clubs have circled.
It’s also worth considering the trajectory. Maguire’s market value, once as high as that £80m price tag, has now fallen to just £11m, via Transfermarkt.
Collins, at 24 and with a long-term contract, represents the kind of profile United increasingly covet: players yet to hit their prime, with potential resale value.
The symbolism of this chase should not be underestimated. Manchester United were once defined by their defensive stalwarts – from Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand to Steve Bruce and Jaap Stam.
Collins may not yet be at that level, but the attributes he has displayed at Brentford and for Ireland suggest he has the potential to grow into such a role.
For Brentford, keeping hold of him is about more than just finances; it is about identity and ambition.
For United, though, the question is whether they are willing to test that resolve – and potentially break the bank again – to secure the man who could be Maguire’s successor.