According to reports in England, Manchester United is considering to sign a left-back in the winter transfer window. The Red Devils were out to sign a defender in the summer transfer window, but failed to do so even after being linked to many players.
Moreover, looking at the recent performances of Manchester United, their is a definite requirement for better defensive options. Most of their recent signings have failed to deliver, when required.
Let’s have a glance at the United full-backs. Club captain Antonio Valencia is the clear first choice right-back for the team but at 33 years of age, it is unsure how long he can continue. Furthermore, the Ecuador International is currently injured and veteran Ashley Young is being used as the make-shift right-back.
Young, who was used as a left-back for most of the previous season, also 33, is actually a winger used as an extra option. With Luke Shaw back in form, he has secured the left-back position for now.
BREAKING: @ManUtd sign defender Diogo Dalot from Porto on a five-year contract. #SSN pic.twitter.com/XeEZJOkfUy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 6, 2018
Another usable used is Italian International Matteo Darmian, who except for his earlier performances, has not been up-to the mark and the player expressing his desire to leave worsens the situation. New signing Diogo Dalot, also being injured, is pretty young to depend on. Also, there are some other options in the youth squad who can be used against lowly ranked teams but not against the top Premier League teams and definitely not in the Champions League.
So, this leaves United with very few full-back options and in case they get sidelined due to injury or fail to perform, United have a danger looming large on their defense.
United were keen to sign a left-back since the January transfer window last season and for the majority of summer transfer window. With Shaw’s injury troubles and Young deployed in that position, United were linked to a series of top left-backs but ended up signing none.
What a decision that has proven to be! with a run of games Shaw has undergone a resurgence and has shown the form, which led to United signing him in 2014.
The England star Shaw, 23, signed a new five-year, £190,000-a-week contract earlier this month having won over Mourinho and successfully convincing him that he is the man to fill the void at left-back.
https://twitter.com/utdxtra/status/1052935195660300288
Recent reports suggest that Mourinho is looking to sign another left-back to provide back-up and competition for Shaw simultaneously. Barcelona superstar Jordi Alba is reported to be on United’s radar, however, he won’t come cheap. Barcelona are supposed to be holding out on a fee of £133million.
It is highly unlikely that United would be willing to shell out so much for another left-back, with Shaw successfully nailing down the starting spot for now and the future. Mourinho may look for cheaper options, with relatively other areas of the team that need relatively higher attention. United have conceded already 17 goals already in the league this season and singing a central defender seems to be a priority in the January transfer window.
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