Man Utd consider shock move for former Chelsea star

Tom Weber

• Updated: 24 Jul 2024 19:18 BST
• 3 min read

Former Chelsea and Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso is an option for Manchester United this summer, according to a report.

The Red Devils are in the market for a left-back. It has been established for a few months now that Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his options on the left side of his backline after enduring a real horror season in that department.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia spent most of the bygone campaign on the treatment table. To alleviate the situation, Man Utd signed Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham last summer, but they sent him back in January when Shaw returned only for the England international to again suffer a setback.

As a result, and with Malacia still struggling to get fit and having been omitted from the squad for the pre-season tour of the US, Man Utd are scrambling to add another body at left-back, though their top priority remains signing a defensive midfielder for now.

FootballTransfers understands that the Red Devils' number one left-back target is Bournemouth youngster Milos Kerkez. However, the Cherries are expected to fight tooth and nail to keep him, so Man Utd are ready to get creative, it seems.

Man Utd want Alonso

According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd are considering former Chelsea and Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso as an option, having already looked at him before they signed Reguilon last summer.

The Spaniard is currently a free agent after seeing his contract at Barcelona expire. His age of 33 raises doubts about Man Utd's willingness to recruit him as they are said to be keen on adding a youngster, though Ten Hag has previously shown that he is not averse to adding experience if and when he sees fit.

Last summer, Man Utd brought centre-back Jonny Evans back to the club aged 35 and he actually became an important fixture in the side due to frequent injury-related absences in defence.

The year before, they signed Casemiro for a whopping €70 million from Real Madrid despite his being on the wrong side of 30. Given that Man Utd have already spent north of €100m on just two players this summer, with more reinforcements desired and expected, Alonso could prove to be a bargain short-term solution.