Red Devils prepare for Maguire’s departure — Brazilian defender on the radar.

Murillo has emerged as one of the names on Manchester United’s shortlist as the club plans ahead for defensive reinforcements next season.

Since arriving at Nottingham Forest in 2023, the Brazilian has grown into one of the Premier League’s standout young centre-backs, earning admiration from several of England’s richest and most ambitious sides. His rise has been rapid and hard to ignore.

As reported by Daily Mail Sport in December, Murillo would be willing to consider a move away from the City Ground next summer, even after committing to a new and improved four-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025. United are understood to be keeping a close eye on his situation, particularly with Harry Maguire expected to depart.

At 23, Murillo offers pace, strength and balance as a left-footed defender, and his partnership with Nikola Milenkovic last season played a key role in Forest’s push that narrowly fell short of Champions League qualification.

While he and his family are settled in Nottingham, Murillo’s consistent displays have ensured he remains firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs. Signed from Corinthians for just 10 million pounds, he is widely regarded as one of the shrewdest acquisitions of Evangelos Marinakis’ ownership.

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Forest’s hopes of Champions League football next season hinge on an unlikely Europa League triumph. Failing that, they will be absent from Europe’s top competition — a factor that could work in United’s favor. Should the Old Trafford club secure Champions League qualification themselves, it would significantly boost their appeal in the race to land a defender of Murillo’s calibre.