Man Utd ready to make BIZARRE transfer

Suraj Radia

31 Aug 2023 11:01 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Erik ten Hag has been in the market for a left back before Friday’s transfer deadline but Manchester United could instead see their only specialist in the role LEAVE before the end of the month.

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United saw Luke Shaw suffer an injury that will keep him out of action for up to two months, while Tyrell Malacia is still sidelined for the near future, leaving Ten Hag under staffed at left-back.

Diogo Dalot, naturally a right-sided defender, filled in on the left for United in their last game but the club have made approached for the likes of Marcos Alonso, Sergio Reguilon and Alfonso Pedraza in the past few days, to no avail.

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With little over 24 hours to go before the transfer window closes, time is running out for Ten Hag to get his man but United could bizarrely get rid of their only natural left-back instead.

Alvaro Fernandez featured sporadically in pre-season and was on the bench for United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest but the left-back could move to Granada on loan in La Liga according to the Manchester Evening News, with Burnley also interested.

A permanent sale has also not been ruled out for the 20-year-old, who joined United in 2020 and spent last season on loan at Championship side Preston, although it will likely hinge on whether another left-back can come in first.

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Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is expected to be the left-back target United push towards, with the Spaniard out of favour at Stamford Bridge after a dismal debut season with the club.

Cucurella joined Chelsea for £62 million from Brighton last summer but has fallen down the pecking order due to his poor form, prompting United to target the 25-year-old on loan.

However, despite being Ten Hag’s preferred option, United have yet to agree a loan fee, having offered Chelsea £2.5m, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side are holding out for something closer to £5m.

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A deal is expected to be reached, with Cucurella keen on the move, and United will look to bring the defender in alongside a midfielder, ideally Sofyan Amrabat, who remains Ten Hag’s top target.