Manchester United are in a bit of a crisis at present. With Ashley Young playing as the club’s designated first-choice left-back, it’s safe to say that the club are trying hard to find a worthy replacement for the two usual suspects in Luke Shaw and Daley Blind.
Jose Mourinho hasn’t been impressed with either and is looking to offload both of them in the summer to bring in newer faces who could help out with his more polished regime. The Portuguese manager isn’t a fan of young footballers and could go in for someone a little more experienced when the market opens up.
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Lucky for him – and the club – this summer is a good time to be looking for a left-back and Manchester United have a bunch of options to choose from. Trouble is, there are a host of top European clubs also looking at the same options. Here are five left-backs Manchester United should consider signing in the summer:
#1 David Alaba – Bayern Munich
Possibly the most expensive player on this list is Bayern Munich’s Austrian darling, David Alaba. The 24-year-old has risen through the ranks of the Bavarian club and has sealed his position as one of the most versatile players in the squad.
Capable of playing as a left-back, a centre-back and a holding midfielder, Alaba is the complete package. He has an incredible engine, a great eye for a pass and the experience and the maturity to slip into any Jose Mourinho side.
The Austrian also has a winning attitude with all the time he’s spent with Bayern Munich. Should he decide to challenge himself in a new environment and competition, it won’t get better and more intense than the Premier League. However, he’ll cost in the region of €40 million.
Chance of signing: 4/10
#2 Sead Kolasinac – FC Schalke
FC Schalke’s current left-back, Sead Kolasinac, is a target for a bunch of clubs in the summer, given he’s a free agent. The Bosnian international has been superb for the Ruhr club in all his time with them but has decided to explore his options come the summer.
And Manchester United ought to pounce in quick to ensure they sign him on. Mourinho will love Kolasinac’s energy driving up and down the sideline. He’s quick, has a great cross on him and boasts of the kind of engine a left-back should have.
His experience of playing in a side that regularly likes to use full-backs to attack will help Mourinho settle him into the squad much faster. Bundesliga imports into the Premier League usually take time but in this case, it might not take any time at all.
Chance of signing: 6/10
#3 Danny Rose – Tottenham Hotspur
Widely regarded as one of the better left-backs England has produced, Danny Rose has beaten competition from a host of other names to firmly establish himself as the country’s and his club’s first choice left-back.
What strikes you most about Rose is his mental strength. He’ll chase a loose ball and he’ll put in a solid shift every time he takes to the field. He’s incredibly quick and agile with the ball at his feet and can either be used as a traditional left-back or a left-wing-back when needed.
Rose has suffered a few injuries this season but is en course to making a comeback in the coming weeks. Should he impress the club with his performances in the tail end of the season, expect Manchester United to once again tap a Tottenham talent.
Chance of signing: 5/10
#4 Ricardo Rodriguez – VFL Wolfsburg
Having come agonisingly close to arriving on English shores last summer, Ricardo Rodriguez now looks destined to see it through this time around. The Swiss international was widely tipped to join compatriot Granit Xhaka at Arsenal last summer with hints flying in all directions in every press conference. In the end, however, it failed to materialise.
But Arsenal’s loss could be Manchester United’s gain – how many times have we said that? Jose Mourinho needs someone who could come and in get straight into the action and in Rodriguez, he has someone who could do just that.
While he’s a solid left-back with pace, strength and drive, Rodriguez is also an incredible free-kick taker and also uses his height to score headers every now and then. He’s the most attacking full-back on this list and it wouldn’t hurt Manchester United one bit to invest in someone so versatile and dangerous.
Chance of signing: 6/10
#5 Faouzi Ghoulam – SSC Napoli
Possibly the most talented left-back on this list and possibly the toughest one to secure is Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam. The Algerian international has been splendid for the Serie A club this season, constantly bombarding the attacking third with his flair and ball-play.
Ghoulam’s biggest strength is the timing of his runs and he has the pace and the creativity to ensure he’s able to take on the best of teams. He’s a solid team player, exceptional in both defence and in attack and can sprint the entire game without breaking a sweat.
But Manchester United will have to fight the big sharks to get his signature. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus are all considering approaching him in the summer and while United could fight and outbid all of them, the offers from them could make it tougher to convince Ghoulam.
Chance of signing: 7/10
