Malick Thiaw is enjoying a mightily impressive first season in English football(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Manchester United are said to hold an interest in Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw.
United have enjoyed an improved defensive record since Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim boss, keeping three clean sheets in their last six Premier League games. However, long-term injuries to Lisandro Martinez – who has since returned – and Matthijs de Ligt have hampered consistency in their defence.
While midfield will be the key focus of their summer investment, strengthening their backline could be achieved via the acquisition of Thiaw, according to BILD’s Christian Falk.
Falk, who is head of football at the German publication, said Bayern Munich would consider signing the centre-back if one of their four established defenders departs the club – but only in that scenario.
Claiming to know Thiaw “quite well,” he admitted it makes no sense for him to join the Bundesliga champions due to the partnership between Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano.
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Despite acknowledging that Thiaw is enjoying his career in the North East, having only signed for Newcastle last summer, a move away from St James’ Park could happen due to reported interest from Old Trafford.
“I heard that the player himself would, of course, see a better chance of more minutes with the national side if he were to make a move back to Germany,” Falk told CF Bayern Insider. “I heard that Manchester United, however, do have their eye on the centre-back, so perhaps this is the more interesting transfer story at the moment.”
With the Red Devils yet to confirm who’ll become their new permanent head coach, it remains to be seen who they could target and whether they’ll opt for defensive reinforcements.
While the Magpies have endured a disappointing campaign as they currently sit 11th, Thiaw previously came in for huge praise from club and country team-mate Nick Woltemade after scoring a brace in a 4-1 win over Everton.
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“Unbelievable player,” the striker said. “We’re always making jokes about how he can’t head but today he scores two. Yesterday, he wanted to train headers but the rain was so bad that we couldn’t train. But I don’t think he needs it anymore!”
United, meanwhile, have the opportunity to extend their 10-match unbeaten streak in the league when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday. A victory against the Eagles would see them leapfrog Aston Villa into third after Unai Emery’s side suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Wolves on Friday.
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