After saying goodbye to Monterrey fans on Tuesday, Sergio Ramos is likely heading to Manchester United to shore up their defense, ending a career chapter that lasted over two decades.

Word is United has already offered the 39-year-old Ramos a deal and is waiting to hear back. They're looking to bolster their defense, which has struggled lately.

Ramos seems to have timed his exit from the Mexican club well. He posted a thank-you note on social media to the team and supporters.

Saying goodbye is never easy, the former Real Madrid and Spain player said. A chapter ends that began full of hope in February and that has allowed me to find a country, a city, a football... and that leaves me with many new experiences and, above all, many friends.

I will always feel honored to have worn the Rayados captain's armband, to have led the team in the first Club World Cup in its format, to have battled in the Clausura, in the Apertura, in the Leagues Cup, in the CONCACAF Champions Cup... and to have defended the Steel Giant with courage at your side in all the matches we have played at home.

Ramos, a World Cup champion, joined Monterrey as a free agent in February after leaving Sevilla in June 2024, Xinhua reports.

He played 32 games for Monterrey, scoring seven goals. This included four games and one goal at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Ramos announced he was leaving after Monterrey lost to Toluca in the Liga MX Apertura tournament semifinals on Sunday.

"I have given everything on the field and off it to be able to give my best performance... so many emotions that cannot be described in numbers," he said.

To the club, to my dear teammates, to the coaching staff, to the employees, and to everyone, thank you. And above all, thank you, fans, who have made your warmth and your affection reach me from the first moment I set foot in the city. I will always remember this stage of my career with nostalgia, and I will always say, 'Up with Monterrey!'.

Manchester United got back on track Monday night, crushing Wolves 4-1 at Molineux. It was a pretty easy game for United; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes with two goals, and Mason Mount all scored. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui also played, but their upcoming absence could be a problem as the holidays get closer.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Ruben Amorim press conference

Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui are all heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this month. When they're leaving, exactly is still up in the air. After the Wolves game, Ruben Amorim sounded hopeful they might be around for next Monday's game against Bournemouth. He mentioned the club is talking to the national teams and expects to know more mid-week, viewing the ongoing communication as a positive sign.

Mazraoui's Morocco starts their tournament on Sunday, December 21, the same day United plays Aston Villa in the Premier League. Mbeumo's Cameroon and Amad's Ivory Coast both start their AFCON run a bit later, on Christmas Eve.

Amorim hinted that we should know when they're leaving this week, but the team needs to plan for how they'll play without them right away. With that in mind, here's a look at how United might set up without their African players in the coming weeks...

First, look at the defence. Mazraoui has been starting over Leny Yoro recently. The Frenchman was the main centre-back pick for a while, but after some tough games against Everton and Crystal Palace, he was dropped.

Yoro has been coming off the bench, so he'll likely be back in the starting lineup with Mazraoui gone. When he's healthy, Matthijs de Ligt would usually be in the mix, but Amorim isn't sure when he'll be back. Ayden Heaven is another option, but Lisandro Martinez—a key player before he got hurt—is getting close to being fully fit and could be back in the side.

Next, there’s the right wing-back spot, which Amad currently has. He's been a standout player there this season, fitting into the role really well.

Diogo Dalot has been improving, so the obvious move would be to put him back on the right, his preferred side, and bring Patrick Dorgu back on the left.

Dalot and Dorgu have been sharing time on the left, but Dalot should look more comfortable on the right without Amad. The biggest absence will probably be Mbeumo.

He scored again on Monday and is United's top scorer with six Premier League goals, putting him amongst the top scorers in the league.

Matheus Cunha is back from injury, which is good news! He can play in the No. 10 role with Mason Mount, who's been playing his best soccer since he moved from Chelsea.

That would leave either Joshua Zirkzee or Benjamin Sesko, the usual No. 9, up front, once he's fit. Amorim said last month that Sesko's return would be around the same time as when players leave for AFCON. His agent says he'll be back very soon, but we don't know if the Slovenian will be ready for the first game without the other three. After that, though, he should be leading the attack.

Here's a possible Man Utd starting lineup without the AFCON trio: Lammens; Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko