Manchester United to rival Liverpool in pursuit of exciting left-back
A huge summer awaits Manchester United.
Have you ever unconsciously twisted your ankle while playing football? If yes, then you know the pain Luke Shaw sustained in the Premier League match against Southampton — a game that saw United drop two points following a 2-2 draw against a high-pressing Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team.
Not only Luke Shaw, but the 19-year-old Brandon Williams — Shaw’s substitute in that match — had to finish the match before the regulated ninety minutes, receiving a nasty blow on the head, teetering down the touch-line, and using his one hand to press the towel against the flow of the blood coming out of his head.
In the next match against Crystal Palace, Manchester United were without a conventional left-back. Hence, they opted to ply their another academy graduate in Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who is a right full-back, in that left-back spot. And from what we have heard and seen, Fosu-Mensah did not do anything wrong or anything right to convince the fanbase.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did take a calculated risk by fielding Brandon Williams in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea — a risk that came to bite Solskjaer at the back.
Williams became the culprit for Chelsea’s second goal, passing the ball direct to Mason Mount, who fired the ball past a substandard David de Gea. Consequently, as you all know, the match ended in a 3-1 victory for the Blues.
Injuries to some of the main players have had been a cornering factor in United’s 2019-20 campaign. Owing to the fact that Manchester United have had so many injuries, the Red Devils have lost the games where fans expect them to win comfortably.
And there has been a feeling inside the camp that the forthcoming season might see them face the same sort of situation. Therefore, besides prioritising attacking targets, Manchester United are believed to have decided to sign a left-back this summer.
According to the report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Manchester United are going to rival Liverpool in an attempt to sign Sporting CP‘s up-and-coming star Nuno Mendes. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a fascinating breakthrough season for the Portuguese club, grabbing a plethora of interest across the world in the process.
Having started six times in Primeira Liga this season, Mendes has become the youngest player to earn his debut in Sporting Lisbon’s senior outfit since Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes — already a popular figure amongst United fans — from Sporting last January for a reported an initial transfer fee of €55 million plus €25m more in add-ons.
Nuno Mendes has a release clause of €45 million in his current contract that is likely to keep him at the Portuguese club until 2025. Although Manchester United have some other priorities to fulfil in the upcoming summer transfer window, interest from Liverpool certainly demonstrates the qualities the youngster possesses in him.
dark. Next. Man Utd should sign the new Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon instead of Sancho
Do you want Manchester United to sign Nuno Mendes this summer?