The 2023/24 season may only be three matches in, but Manchester United already have a bit of an injury crisis on their hands. New striker signing, Rasmus Højlund, was carrying a small back injury when he put pen to paper on his United contract, while Mason Mount picked up a muscle injury against Spurs in the second match of the season.
The left-back position is a cause for concern at the moment, too, with Tyrell Malacia picking up an injury during United’s pre-season and Luke Shaw potentially facing a lengthy break with a muscular injury, as well. Add to that the fact that United recently sold Alex Telles and loaned Brandon Williams, and United’s left side is looking a little vulnerable.
Against Nottingham Forest, Diogo Dalot was trusted at left-back in Shaw’s absence, but that hasn’t stopped the barrage of rumours linking United with several full-backs. If the links with a handful of left-backs are legitimate, then Shaw’s injury could very well be more serious than has yet to be revealed.
Marc Cucurella, Ryan Bertrand, Sergio Reguilon, Marcos Alonso, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Rico Henry have all been rumoured targets for Erik ten Hag as the Dutch manager reportedly scrambles to find cover for Shaw and Malacia, but should United’s left-back injury crisis jump to the head of the que for transfer priorities with the transfer window closing in just a few days? With Fred’s sale to Fenerbahce and Mount’s injury, surely United’s reported long-standing interest in a central midfielder would be the focus. Then there are the missed opportunities to strengthen the backline as Harry Maguire goes back and forth about whether or not he wants a move, with Kim Min Jae heading to Bayern Munich and Benjamin Pavard looking likely to move to Inter Milan.
With limited funds and competing transfer priorities, Ten Hag may be better off sticking with the players he has who can fill in at left-back. As previously stated, Dalot started against Forest and acquitted himself quite well. The Portuguese full-back had 89% pass accuracy (59 of 66 passes), including nine passes into the final third, completed 6 out of 7 long balls, won 100% of his aerial duels, and was only dribbled past once. He failed to win the single tackle he attempted, however, but then he’s always been more of an attacking full-back than an Aaron Wan-Bissaka type. His preferred right foot meant he was able to cut inside a bit, as well, which ten Hag prefers his fullbacks to do. Don’t forget, too, that Dalot was a left-back at FC Porto when United signed him in 2018, as he can use both feet exceedingly well.
United also have youngster Alvaro Fernandez as a left-back option. The 20-year-old impressed during pre-season and was immense last season during his loan spell with Preston North End, featuring in 39 matches for the Lilywhites and providing four assists and creating six big chances on his way to being named Preston’s Young Player of the Year. The young Spaniard was also named United’s U23 Player of the Year in 2022 and has already stated his desire for minutes, telling MUTV that he “just wants to play – but if it can be at United, much better.” Clubs in the Championship have contacted Fernandez and Preston were more than happy to keep him for another season, but Fernandez looks capable of challenging himself at a higher level. Covering for Shaw and Malacia could be the opportunity of a lifetime if the youngster grabs hold of it with both hands.
Ten Hag has already swung the axe with several young players, showing ruthlessness and incredibly high standards when it comes to his squad. If he is truly looking for left-back cover, then it may mean he doesn’t trust Dalot or Fernandez to fill in for a few months. It could also mean he prefers Dalot on the right or that Fernandez is already out the door–either on loan or a permanent move, if the recent departures of several youth players are anything to go on. If it were up to me, unless United got a few priority transfers over the line first and a good left-back became available for a super low price or even on loan, I’d stick with both for now or loan Fernandez and make a late swoop for Benjamin Pavard, who can also play as a right-back as Dalot moves to the left. Pavard provides cover at centre-back, which is vital, due to Raphael Varane’s ever-increasing injury issues and with Harry Maguire no longer in Ten Hag’s plans. United also need a midfielder upgrade in the Amrabat mold to improve the squad and provide a rotation option and/or partner for Casemiro.
With the transfer window only a few days from slamming shut, though, it will be interesting to see how Erik ten Hag navigates the left-back crisis, as it has the potential to alter United’s transfer plans, which could impact United’s season altogether. Squeaky bum time for United fans, for sure.
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Give Alvaro Fernandez a chance!!!!
No we’d rather get stung by Chelsea again probably to around the tune of £7 million pounds we’ve offered 2 but with Murtough and Arnold in charge we;ll end up nearer the 7 as Chelsea will know we are desperate we went over what we said would be our maximum for Mason Mount why put our heads in the lions mouth again or are we still the gluttons for punishment like under Woodward and Judge
Saka must be licking his lips come Sunday!!