Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opened the door to signing a new left-back with Luke Shaw picking up a muscular injury this week.
The England international has been a pivotal player for United, but he could be out of action until November after his unfortunate setback.
Meanwhile, Tyrell Malacia has yet to recover from an injury sustained on international duty, and he is sidelined for another few weeks at least.
As a result, the club are short in the left-back department. With Brandon Williams loaned out, Diogo Dalot could start in a makeshift role later today.
Young graduate Alvaro Fernandez is a candidate for the manager, but he has yet to make his United debut. Granada want to sign him on loan.
Speaking ahead of the Nottingham Forest game, Ten Hag said that the club are open to pursuing a new left-back, but it has to be the right player.
He told Manutd.com: “It can be, because we have to anticipate situations. So if there are opportunities, yes. But it has to be the right player. And otherwise we have to deal with the current squad.”
“And, as I said before, I know we went through the scenarios before the season with our transfer strategy and if that happened, we have the solution.”
Shaw’s absence is a huge blow for Man Utd
The £36 million-rated star has been an undisputed starter for the Red Devils under Ten Hag. His latest injury has come at the wrong time for the club.
The manager has welcomed the possibility of signing another left-back, but United are only interested in pursuing a short-term replacement for Shaw.
In the last 24 hours, Ryan Bertrand has been linked with the club. The former Chelsea man is currently a free-agent following his release from Leicester City.
Contact has been made with his representatives but in our view, it would be a poor decision to sign him. He has not played a competitive game in 612 days.
The Englishman has had multiple knee surgeries during this period, and United would be taking a huge risk in landing his signature on a short-term contract.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
