Manchester United are monitoring Austrian centre-back David Affengruber, who currently plays for Elche, according to reports from respected insider Florian Plettenberg. The club are assessing potential defensive reinforcements as they prepare for a return to Champions League football next season.
United are projected to finish third in the Premier League this term, a significant improvement from their 15th-place finish the previous campaign. This upturn in form has prompted club officials to consider strengthening the squad to manage the demands of multiple competitions. Currently, United have five established centre-backs, with further options in Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui, but are exploring possibilities to add further depth.
Plettenberg reports that Affengruber has been on United’s radar following a ‘strong season’ with Elche. The 25-year-old is reportedly ‘planning a move this summer’ and is attracting interest from several other European clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla.
Affengruber recently earned his first cap for the Austrian national team in March 2026, appearing at right-back. TEAMtalk reports that Manchester United have been tracking the player since 2025. Sources indicated in December that former manager Ruben Amorim identified Affengruber as an ideal long-term partner for Leny Yoro. Despite Amorim’s departure, United’s continued scouting suggests they still value his potential contribution to the defence.
At the time of the initial scouting reports, Affengruber’s estimated price tag was £26million, with Elche acknowledging they may struggle to retain him. His continued development and rising profile suggest that figure could potentially increase in the coming weeks. His arrival would provide competition and potentially long-term cover in the centre of defence.
