Five left-backs Manchester United could target this summer | OneFootball

Manchester United will target the signing of a left-back in the summer transfer window, as concerns over Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have left the Red Devils short of depth.

Shaw has struggled with fitness issues all season and is a doubt for England’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer, with his latest muscular problem ruling the 28-year-old out of much of the Premier League run-in.

Malacia’s long-term absence is more complicated with the Dutchman having not featured since facing Fulham on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign. United have yet to clarify the 24-year-old’s extended absence from the team and left-back looks like a position that will be addressed in the summer.

We’ve looked at five left-backs that Manchester United could target.

Antonee Robinson

Antonee Robison’s fine form for Fulham has piqued the interest of Premier League rivals with the USA international having been a marauding force at Craven Cottage this season.

Robinson leads Europe’s top five leagues for interceptions (69) and also ranks among the Premier League’s leading players for tackles won (5th), crosses into the penalty area (2nd), and dribblers tackled (3rd).

The 26-year-old has all the athletic attributes required of a modern full-back with pace and an endless engine, while he has shown improved quality in the final third this season. He has six open-play assists in the Premier League, level with Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier and behind only West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal among defenders.

Liverpool and Chelsea have checked in on Robinson this season, who has been one of the most consistent full-backs in the division.

Miguel Gutierrez

Girona’s overachieving side are sure to attract significant interest in the summer, with Savio having already agreed a deal to sign for Manchester City at the end of the campaign.

Artem Dovbyk, Aleix Garcia and Yangel Herrera could all attract bids, with Girona flying high in third and on course for Champions League qualification. Another gem in Girona’s side has been Miguel Gutierrez.

The left-back left Real Madrid in search of a prominent role and has joined the exciting collection of young talents developing in Catalonia. This season he has been one of the best creators in La Liga, ranking fourth for passes into the penalty area and eighth for expected assists.

The 22-year-old’s performances – in which has inverted into midfield and thrived when holding a wide position – have reportedly alerted Arsenal and Manchester United. However, Real Madrid inserted a buy-back option allowing them to re-sign Gutierrez for a fee of just €8m and it would be no surprise to see that activated.

Luca Netz

Manchester United are expected to move towards a younger model in terms of recruitment, building around a core of starlets that includes Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Luca Netz could be an ideal solution to support and eventually succeed Luke Shaw in the side, having emerged as an exciting option at Borussia Monchengladbach. Since arriving at the club from Hertha Berlin as a teenager, the 20-year-old has racked up 75 senior appearances and 14 caps for Germany’s u-21 side.

Despite his inexperience, Netz scores well on several metrics in comparison to full-backs across Europe. He is in the highest five per cent of his positional peers for clearances per 90 minutes (3.34) and also ranks highly for aerials won (87th percentile) and assists (86th percentile) per game.

Pervis Estupinan

Pervis Estupinan would represent a Premier League-proven option for Manchester United, having caught the eye since his arrival at Brighton from Villarreal.

The Ecuador international was signed as a replacement for the departing Marc Cucurella and filled the void impressively, providing five assists during his maiden campaign in English football.

Fitness issues have troubled the 26-year-old this time around, but has been an effective attacking option when available. Estupinan has two goals and three assists from 12 league starts for the Seagulls this season, averaging a goal involvement every 211 minutes.

David Raum

An established German international approaching the prime seasons of his career? Manchester United could do worse than consider a move for David Raum.

The 25-year-old has been a brilliant attacking option from full-back in recent campaigns, impressing upon Hoffenheim’s return to the top flight in 2021/22 with 11 league assists.

He signed for RB Leipzig for a fee of €30m that summer and endured a tough first season with the club, but has bounced back this time around. Raum has three goals and 12 assists in all competitions so far this season and leads Europe’s top five leagues for crosses into the penalty area.

Embed from Getty Images

He’s the Bundesliga leader for crosses (244) and ranks third in Germany’s top tier for expected assists. Leipzig have shown willingness to sell for the right fee in recent windows and Raum looks a readymade option to improve Manchester United’s problem position.

Read – Ranking the five best left-backs in world football right now

See more – Ranking the five best defensive midfielders in the world right now

Subscribe to our social channels:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube