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A cursory glance at Manchester United team sheets from last season will show that Erik ten Hag had to use as many as six separate players in the left-back position.
Luke Shaw missed 36 games in all competitions while Tyrell Malacia ended up missing the whole season. With both his first-choice full-backs out, the manager had to turn to Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both right-backs by trade, to cover that position during the business-end of the season.
Earlier in the campaign, centre-back Victor Lindelof and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat were also forced to play in an unfamiliar role.
With Shaw expected to be given an extended break following the Euros and with no timeline provided by the club regarding Malacia’s return, the Red Devils find themselves in a familiar position of having no specialist left-back at their disposal with the new season fast approaching.
LB needed at United
INEOS are expected to remedy this problem and numerous full-backs have been linked with a move to Old Trafford including Ben Chilwell of Chelsea, and even a shock return for Sergio Reguilon, who had spent the first six months of the previous campaign at United, has been mooted.
Givemesport have now added Fulham’s shining star Antonee Robinson to the list but the Cottagers are hellbent on not losing any further players after selling key midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich recently.
The American registered six assists in the Premier League last season, among the top-five for full-backs, and was a constant presence in the Fulham team as the team from Craven Cottage finished a creditable 13th. He was named Fulham’s Player of the Season.
Marco Silva does not want to lose the USA international but United and fierce rivals Chelsea are plotting to move for the former Wigan star whose current market value stands at €25 million.
Robinson interest
“Fulham are determined to hold onto the remainder of their standout performers instead of giving in to the temptation of cashing in ahead of the transfer window slamming shut, according to GMS sources, and Silva is particularly eager to keep Leno, Robinson and Pereira on board after they have attracted interest.
“Left-back Robinson has worked his way onto the radar of west London rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.”
Fulham are expected to ask for a lot more considering Robinson’s current deal is valid until 2028 with the defender signing a new contract only last year.
Whether the Red Devils have the financial might to pull off such a deal when they also need more than one centre-back and midfielder along with a backup striker remains to be seen.
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