Man Utd get direct messages from targets Manuel Akanji and Ronald Araujo

Defenders Manuel Akanji and Ronald Araujo both quashed transfer speculation linking them with Manchester United at the weekend.

Akanji, 26, has impressed at Borussia Dortmund since joining the German giants from Basel in January 2018, helping them win the DFB-Pokal last season. The centre-back, who has 39 senior caps for Switzerland, has just 14 months remaining on his existing deal.

Araujo, 23, has become a key defender at Barcelona this season, making 34 appearances in all competitions. The centre-back helped the Catalan lift the Copa del Rey last term and has won nine senior caps for Uruguay. His contract also expires in June 2023.

"I am fully focused on Dortmund at the moment," said Akanji. "We will see what happens in the future. I'm totally happy to play in this team. I think I have an important role and I want to perform until the end. And then we'll see in the summer how things go."

Araujo was also quizzed by reporters. He said: "I am very happy to be here. Happy with the support of the fans. We are working. This week we have a meeting. I hope it will be resolved soon so that I can continue many years in this club. I am optimistic."

Reports in February linked Akanji with a move to Old Trafford. Speaking in 2018, he said: "I have a big dream, to get as far as possible in football. Since my childhood days, Manchester United have been my favourite club. I'd like to play there one day."

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And reports in March suggested United have stepped up their interest in Araujo. Barcelona are keen to tie him down to a new contract but haven't agreed anything. Due to the Catalan outfit's financial troubles, it's likely United could offer a more lucrative deal.

Defence has been one of United's biggest problems this season. The Red Devils have conceded 41 Premier League goals, more than Burnley in 19th (40). Manchester City have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 18 goals.

Speaking last month, legendary United defender Rio Ferdinand urged his former employers to sign two centre-backs. The team's current centre-backs are Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and captain Harry Maguire.

"I would sign Marquinhos. I would sign the Uruguayan at Barcelona [Araujo]," Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel. On Maguire's questionable form, he added: "What's killing for him is it seems week after week someone is questioning something about Harry Maguire, and it's quite glaring. And listen, we've all been through moments like this, in my career it happened.

"But a lot of the time it's luck. There's moments in careers like Harry Maguire is going through now where everything you seem to do there seems to be a problem, there's a mistake. Every mistake you make gets punished and highlighted.

"Whereas sometimes in my career where I was making mistakes but they didn't score, or the keeper pulled me out of it, or [Nemanja] Vidic made a tackle. That's what happens in a team, it's riding that little bit of luck you need. And Harry Maguire, I think he needs a little bit of luck to get out of this dip in form he's got right now."