Man Utd ‘draw up two-man shortlist to solve problem left-back area including Premier League star and French youngster’
MANCHESTER UNITED allegedly have drawn up a two-man shortlist to solve their problematic left-back area.
The position has proven to be a nightmare for United this term.
That was after Tyrell Malacia was ruled out for the whole campaign while Luke Shaw’s injury issues restricted him to only 15 appearances.
They have been forced to play a number of players out of position to cover, including right-back Diogo Dalot, and are now looking to bring in extra cover.
United boss Erik ten Hag, whose own future at Old Trafford remains unclear after a dire campaign, has already stated that a left-back could be one of their top targets.
Now Sport Witness is reporting that they have two players in mind.
This update states that one of those is already playing in the Premier League.
Algerian star Rayan Ait-Nouri, 22, moved to Wolves from Angers in 2020 and has shone since at Molineux.
He has made over 100 appearances for them but remains under contract until 2026.
Arsenal have also been linked with Ait-Nouri over recent months.
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Wolves paid just short of £10m for the ace four years ago, and they are likely to want to make a decent profit if they decide to sell this summer.
He is allegedly United’s “preferred” target – but French Ligue 1 outfit Stade Brestois’ Bradley Locko is “also of interest” to the Red Devils.
The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Reims and received his first French U23 cap this year as he eyes an appearance in Thierry Henry’s Olympic squad.
The star is valued by his club at around the £17m mark.
We also exclusively revealed that United are considering a cut-price transfer swoop for Reinildo – but face a fight from Aston Villa.
The Mozambique international left-back, 30, only has a year remaining on his Atletico Madrid contract.
That means he could be available for around £8million this summer.
SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
Reinildo moved to the LaLiga giants in 2022 from Lille after helping the French club to win Ligue 1.
However, he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in February 2023 that ruled him out until November.
Since his return he has only featured 15 times for Diego Simeone’s side and could now be available on the cheap.
Ten Hag and United suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish this term after coming eighth.
That means their only hope of qualifying for Europe next season rests on whether they can beat Man City in the FA Cup final this Saturday.
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