New Man Utd injury blow forces Cucurella transfer RETHINK

Robin Bairner

30 Aug 2023 06:45 BST
3 min read

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag contemplates an injury — © ProShots

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s plans for the final three days of the transfer window may have to be changed after a new injury problem in his squad to add to Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.

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Man Utd have been hit with a couple of physical setbacks over the past week, with the injury to Shaw prompting Ten Hag to search for a left-back because Tyrell Malacia is also missing.

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However, the Dutchman may need to reassess his plans after Sky Sports reported that Raphael Varane picked up a problem against Nottingham Forest that could see him miss six weeks of action.

Varane had previously been linked with a shock transfer to the Saudi Pro League but after this rumour was swiftly put to bed, he was installed as Man Utd’s first-choice centre-back.

Ten Hag had already been in the market for a central defender, feeling his squad is lacking quality in that area, so this latest development is clearly a sizeable setback for his plans. Signing both a left-back and a someone who can play in the middle is unlikely due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.

MORE: Man Utd's Harry Maguire transfer U-turn

© ProShots - Marc Cucurella is wanted by Man Utd on loan

What now for Ten Hag?

Man Utd have already submitted a loan proposal to Chelsea for Marc Cucurella, who would be their primary option at left-back, but while he has played centrally before, the Spaniard has operated in a back three when doing so.

Nevertheless, the urgency of the situation may mean that Ten Hag gambles on the former Brighton player to be able to fill both roles in this pinch.

Alternatively, Man Utd could revisit other options, having extensively scoured the market for a centre-back this summer.

With Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich apparently destined to sign for Inter Milan, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo remains the likeliest target for Man Utd in the final days of the transfer window, although any deal for the young Frenchman may need facilitated by sales.

Varane’s injury has complicated life severely at a time when Man Utd and Ten Hag did not need another transfer puzzle to solve.