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Manchester United are currently without a specialist senior left-back for the start of the new season, eerily similar to what had transpired last term.
Luke Shaw is set to be sidelined till September’s international break while Tyrell Malacia is not expected back before October. Last season, the England international missed over 30 games while the Netherlands star failed to play a single minute.
Sergio Reguilon was signed on loan last summer and while the Spaniard would love to return again this window, United are reportedly not looking at adding another left-back despite the obvious gap in the squad.
Noussair Mazraoui, signed from Bayern Munich, can double up as a left-back if needed while Diogo Dalot started there against Fulham in the season opener.
LB issues persist
Erik ten Hag also has the option of playing Lisandro Martinez there, a tactic he tried against Manchester City in the Community Shield, but the plan did not work.
The manager is aware of the need to add to this position but the club are banking on the new Moroccan signing and Dalot to tide over the storm until Shaw recovers.
That is why Givemesport have claimed that United have pushed back their plans to recruit a left-back until January. Of the current situation does not improve or worsens, INEOS will act during the winter window.
Short-term deals or bringing in a free agent were discussed with links emerging with the likes of Mario Hermoso and Marcos Alonso but the opportunities were deemed inferior by the scouting team and hence the decision to wait.
“Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made a significant U-turn and decided to push back his plans to lure a new left-back to Old Trafford until the transfer window reopens in January instead of diving into the market ahead of the fast-approaching August 30 deadline, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
“GMS sources have been informed that Manchester United have failed to uncover a great value signing when they have looked for a short-term fix, meaning that Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui are in line to continue filling in for the 29-year-old.”
Things didn’t go so well last time United decided not to strengthen in this area. Reguilon’s loan was cut short with the former Southampton star nearing fitness.
January plans
But he did not stay fit for very long, forcing the manager to play centre-back Victor Lindelof and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat as left-backs and the results were not worth writing home about.
With four signings already sealed and Manuel Ugarte‘s name soon to be added to the list, the club is not exactly flush with cash at the moment and thus cannot add to their squad due to fears of breaching Profit and Sustainability rules.
A move for Antonee Robinson and Ben Chilwell is off the question altogether at this stage. Whether both Mazraoui and the Englishman can remain injury-free until January is another question altogether.
INEOS are taking a big risk and fans will hope the club do not pay in the first half of the season. Academy star Harry Amass could fill in as shown during pre-season but Ten Hag has no inclination to throw him into the deep end, for now.
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