Man Utd assess right-back move

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 14 Jan 2023 08:32 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United continue to assess whether to bring in a right-back this January.

The club have already brought in reinforcements by the way of Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland on loan from Crystal Palace - but the need for a right-back is still being considered.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was seen as one of the most likely to leave in the window but he has started the last four games. Diogo Dalot, who we revealed Man Utd offered a fresh deal to ahead of the World Cup, will soon return to injury too. As the days pass, it seems more and more likely that Man Utd will stick to their guns, but it's thought that could all change should a reasonable offer come in for Wan-Bissaka.

READ MORE: Official: Manchester United complete Wout Weghorst loan

In the summer, Wan-Bissaka came back to training ahead of the new season in much better shape than he was last campaign. But Erik ten Hag still had concerns over his ‘personality’ - believing him to be not the sort of player to scream for the ball and throw his body about, that he was lacking the tenacity that the coach is looking to overhaul his side with.

It was thought he would be leaving but now he’s come in with some decent performances and Man Utd have their eye on the summer window to really splash the cash. If any change was to come, it’s believed it can wait until that period.

Man Utd's right-back targets

Over the summer, Man Utd drew up a list of suitable right-backs. Among the top players included, we were told, were PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, a move that would prove fanciful and hugely unlikely, also Inter’s Denzel Dumfries, Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, and Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.

Malo Gusto of Lyon would prove a popular choice and is on the list too but at this point, we are told that Dumfries or Frimpong are the most likely.

The latter in particular, given his age, style of player, and relatively cheap cost, appears to have the edge. Meanwhile, those close to the player told FootballTransfers just before the World Cup that a move away from struggling Bayer Leverkusen could prove to be an appealing prospect but that his concentration, at the time, was on getting called by the Netherlands.

We value the 22-year-old Dutchman at €27.4m and his contract is with the German outfit until 2025. It's one to keep an eye on.

There is still over half of the window to go but Champions League is by no means certain for Man Utd. And this may well be the tipping point in getting a fresh pair of legs in the right-back position over the line.