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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hardly had the luxury of picking his first-choice back four last season due to the numerous injuries.
Left-back proved to be a particularly difficult position to fill with Luke Shaw missing over 35 games while his deputy Tyrell Malacia missed the entire campaign.
The situation got so dire that the Dutchman had to play centre-back Victor Lindelof and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in that position in quite a few games.
Things have not improved this season as well with the England international still sidelined after sustaining an injury in pre-season while Ten Hag’s first recruit is not expected back before October.
LB needed
There were murmurs of a left-back being brought in either on loan or via the free agent market but those plans had to be shelved till January.
One player whose name was frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer was Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth who was a regular for the Cherries as they finished an impressive 12th.
Andoni Iraola has the team playing an attractive brand of football with young stars shining under his tutelage including the Hungarian.
Ten Hag knows a lot about the AC Milan youth product as he made his senior bow at Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar before securing a move to the Vitality Stadium for €17.9 million last year.
Teamtalk have now revealed that the Red Devils will face competition from arch-rivals Liverpool for the 20-year-old full-back while Chelsea are also keeping a close watch.
“Liverpool are continuing to watch Milos Kerkez as they plan for the future of the left-back position, TEAMtalk can reveal.
“There is confirmed interest from Manchester United and they, among the other Premier League elites, view the defender as a target for 2025 and beyond.
Liverpool, United keeping an eye on Kerkez
“The future looks bright for the Bournemouth man, who may have his pick of clubs if he continues his development but the world’s biggest sides are watching and waiting for the correct opportunity to pounce.”
Bournemouth will likely ask for a huge sum should any of the elites come calling. In the summer, there were talks of Kerkez being worth over £40 million, which meant potential suitors stayed away.
But if the Hungary international continues his impressive rise, it is only a matter of time before a big club comes calling.
Keeping in mind Shaw’s poor injury record and Malacia’s troubles, it makes sense for the Old Trafford side to try and acquire the 20-year-old. His age and Premier League experience make him the perfect addition for the INEOS project.
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