Man United handed clearest transfer indication yet as double message delivers Ineos demand

Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez have been voted as the two players that Manchester Evening News readers would like to keep in the squad this summer.

Taken from a MEN Sport poll, the defensive duo both saw over 90 per cent of supporters who voted decide to 'keep' rather than 'sell' the pair. It comes as Manchester United head into a key summer for Erik ten Hag.

The manager is expected to sign a new contract at the club after a review into his position in charge ended with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos deciding - after lengthy consideration - to stick with the current boss. Change in the playing group is now likely to follow as the minority owners take action in their first summer.

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Martinez, who played a much-reduced part in his second season at the club largely due to injury, is not someone that is likely to be sold though. Having signed a five-year deal upon his arrival in 2022, the Argentine centre-back still has ample time to run as well as the option for another 12 months, taking him to 2028.

His performances across 2022/23 and when fit last season have made him one of the most popular members of a group that only managed to finish eighth in the Premier League, even with an FA Cup victory to add gloss on a largely disastrous campaign.

In the MEN poll a resounding 94 per cent of voters unsurprisingly chose not to sell, the most of any player. It equates to 61,235 out of 65,035 in total. Perhaps slightly more surprisingly, it's Dalot who came out second on this list.

59,210 voted to keep the versatile defender, landing slightly over 90 per cent in his favour. The other most popular names were Amad (88.9 per cent), Bruno Fernandes (87.1 per cent), and Willy Kambwala (83 per cent).

United are looking to invest in the defence this summer after Raphael Varane's exit was confirmed. Jarrad Branthwaite was the initial priority target, and would likely have formed the heart of a possibly new-look defence with Martinez returning to fitness and also Luke Shaw and Dalot.

Other centre-back targets are still being pursued whilst United continue to look at centre-forwards and midfield options to strengthen the core of Ten Hag's side.