MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 20:37:54| >> :120:6007:6007:

Manchester United 'targeting young left-back in summer window'

Manchester United 'targeting young left-back in summer window'
© Reuters
Manchester United will be in the market for a young left-back during the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Manchester United will reportedly be in the market for a young left-back during the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have four senior left-backs on their books, but Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are currently both injured, while Alvaro Fernandez and Brandon Williams are out on loan.

Neither Fernandez nor Williams are believed to have futures at the club beyond this season, though, while there is thought to be concern when it comes to the long-term fitness of both Shaw and Malacia.

Shaw has been restricted to just 15 appearances in all competitions this season, and the England international is set to be out for the majority of the rest of the 2023-24 campaign due to a muscular problem.

The ex-Southampton youngster was missing between the middle of August and end of November due to injury, before spending more time out at the end of 2023 and start of 2024, and he then aggravated a muscular issue against Luton Town in the Premier League in the middle of last month.

Manchester United's Luke Shaw walks off the pitch to be substituted due to injury on February 18, 2024© Reuters

Malacia, meanwhile, has not played a single minute of football this season due to a knee injury which has required two separate occasions.

The Netherlands international made 39 appearances for the Red Devils last season following a move from Feyenoord, but he has not been in a matchday squad in 2023-24, and Man United head coach Erik ten Hag has conceded that he is likely to miss the rest of the campaign.

"I think it's going to be difficult for him (Malacia) to be available this season. He will fight, he's back on the pitch, but not in the team and the process had some setbacks for him," Ten Hag told reporters.

"He's still going forwards really slowly, and the season is coming to an end."

Victor Lindelof is currently being used as a left-back, and the Sweden international is likely to be needed in that area for the rest of the campaign.

Manchester United's Victor Lindelof reacts after Brighton & Hove Albion's first goal on September 16, 2023© Reuters

However, the return of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from injury, which could occur against Liverpool in the FA Cup next weekend, would open up the possibility of Diogo Dalot switching to left-back.

Man United had Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the first half of the season, but he was sent back to his parent club after Ten Hag was informed that Malacia would return in January.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 20-time English champions are planning to move for a new left-back during the summer market, with a shortlist to be finalised in the near future.

Girona's Miguel Gutierrez has recently been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, although the Red Devils are likely to face competition for the Spaniard from both Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Los Blancos are believed to have the option to re-sign Gutierrez for just €8m (£6.8m) during the upcoming summer transfer window, while his release clause for other clubs is said to be €35m (£29.8m).

ID:538692:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5364:

Click here for more stories about Sergio Reguilon

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tyrell Malacia in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022
Read Next:
Ten Hag 'frustrated' with Man United medical team over Shaw, Malacia absences
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!