I think this was likely above him, as his sale provided profit for FFP and for some reason everyone seems to keep saying Shaw and Malacia will be back sooner than they ever are. Even if he did fancy him (like McTominay), he would have been sold.
The left-back market…
- Thread starter Rozay
- Start date
I honestly believe that it came down to ETH not wanting to admit that what we had in Alvaro was better than his own choice in Malacia, what was it we got for Alvaro ? £6 million ? There’s no way that came down to strictly an FFP/PRS decision when he originally went on a free loan with an option to buy.
I do hope that our outgoings from the academy are now more in the hands of Ashworth and Wilcox seeing as their job is the long term vision of the club as opposed to someone who is clinging to his job and only looking short term, Alvaro was brilliant in pre season last season and I really thought he’d find a place in the first team squad before being wrongly loaned out.
I think activating the £20 million buyback for Alvaro would make sense because A) Hes doing well statistically in his gametime for Benfica and B) He's 186 cms, 1 cm taller than Casemiro and 1 cm shorter than Lindelof... At first as I feel Amass is going to be better I wasnt sure, but with his height and improved defending stats from Benfica he can play leftback and if Amass did outdo him when he got to play, he could still cover and compete for LCB with Lisandro and the right footers, or as part of a back 3 if we were to use it.
I dont think there are many standout cheaper options that could play leftback and cover CB for a long period. I like Gasriowski at Valencia but he doesnt play every week and hes kind of the opposite, a CB who would be makeshift and have to learn to play LB
I dont think there are many standout cheaper options that could play leftback and cover CB for a long period. I like Gasriowski at Valencia but he doesnt play every week and hes kind of the opposite, a CB who would be makeshift and have to learn to play LB
Yeah he's not the fastest and isn't that good at defending. He's a good player, but I think United should be looking elsewhere for a Shaw replacement.
I like the look of Nuno Mendes. He's at PSG so might be a difficult buy but he looks pretty solid. Good going forwards as well
Mendes is the best young left back in the world and would be a 10/10 signing. Athleticism, technique, good on both ends - perfect profile. So far his contract runs out in 2026. A fee of 50m might be enough next summer, but I just don't see him coming to us. Getting Amorim as a coach could help.
I read yesterday that Shaw isn’t even anywhere near training let alone a first team availability so I think in the summer we should bring in two left backs with Alvaro at the £16 million buy back being one of them, I’d come to an agreement with Shaw to move him on and sell Malacia for whatever they can.
I just don’t get why Harry Amass has been called up countless times yet not given a single minute when he’s arguably the best under 18’s left back in the country and we’ve played Dalot, Lindelof, Evans and even Collyer there and it’s at the point now that our left back situation is the worse managed position around.
I just don’t get why Harry Amass has been called up countless times yet not given a single minute when he’s arguably the best under 18’s left back in the country and we’ve played Dalot, Lindelof, Evans and even Collyer there and it’s at the point now that our left back situation is the worse managed position around.
Sell selll sell. And get someone who can finish a season.
It’s cause Ten Hag is stupid and he trusts certain youngsters but not the others. His man management skills are horrid for a head coach.
For those suggesting that Amass should have got a chance by now or even be starting regularly I can see why he hasn’t been put into that position yet.
As good as he is going forward, and he is potentially very good, he still has a way to go defensively in terms of positioning, timing of the tackle and maybe robustness in those situations. He has improved in these areas since he arrived but I’d rather see him debut when the pressure is not as apparent.
No criticism just a different perspective. I rate the young man too and hopes he breaks through this season.
As good as he is going forward, and he is potentially very good, he still has a way to go defensively in terms of positioning, timing of the tackle and maybe robustness in those situations. He has improved in these areas since he arrived but I’d rather see him debut when the pressure is not as apparent.
No criticism just a different perspective. I rate the young man too and hopes he breaks through this season.
He's still paperweight also. You can see it in the u21s. I really see him getting opportunities next year, but i think it would be detrimental to his development to throw him in now before he's truly ready.
Yeah I can see your point on both issues. If he can develop like Grimaldo, who was similar physically, I’d be happy. I think we may see him before next year but only cameo’s.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ws/man-united-receive-tyrell-malacia-30187054
It was May last year so we’re now at 17 months so by the start of next season we’d be at 27 months that Malacia would have been out for, it’s fecking ridiculous that ETH actually believed we could get by with Shaw and Malacia as our only left back options and Alvaro was moved on whilst Amass not even given a minute in cup games.
It was May last year so we’re now at 17 months so by the start of next season we’d be at 27 months that Malacia would have been out for, it’s fecking ridiculous that ETH actually believed we could get by with Shaw and Malacia as our only left back options and Alvaro was moved on whilst Amass not even given a minute in cup games.
The arguments I’ve had with people on United Facebook pages over ETH’s horrendous in game management and man management ‘skills’ or lack there of is insane, even had someone refer to me as “white folk” and “racist to anyone foreign” because of my belief on how poor ETH is which made them look a bit silly as they presumed I was the white person in my profile photo rather than the black one.
Fernandez should always have been a CDM in the Matic mould. I believe he would've been a success in the position had we changed him to play there instead of left back.
At this point we just need someone who can play the position to a decent level, not prime Evra.
How much would Fulham want for Robinson?
Apparently Lazio have a buy option for Tavares which they'll clearly trigger. We should be looking at him if he continues with this form.
Davies would be elite but not sure how much of a chance we really have there if Madrid want him.
How much would Fulham want for Robinson?
Apparently Lazio have a buy option for Tavares which they'll clearly trigger. We should be looking at him if he continues with this form.
Davies would be elite but not sure how much of a chance we really have there if Madrid want him.
That’s exactly what was said about Yoro just this past summer, reality is we can offer whatever Real offer as far as wages go whilst also offering a spot as first choice whereas Davies would be competing with Mendy and Fran at Real and further forward at left wing Vinicius and Mbappe.
On a free it would be silly not to at least try seeing as Shaw and Malacia are pretty much done so if we could move them both on we’d be saving around £300K a week then bring Davies in on a free and Alvaro back for the €16 million buy back and along with Amass the left back role is set for a while.
Seen some rumours about David Møller Wolfe.
Who do we think will be the best option to provide the width and athleticism we clearly lack on the left side?
I've compiled a list of a few obvious ones, their age and their contract end dates:
Alphonso Davies, 24 (2025)
Theo Hernandez, 27 (2026)
Nuno Mendes, 22 (2026)
Rayan Aït-Nouri, 23 (2026)
Antonee Robinson, 27 (2027)
David Raum, 26 (2027)
Miguel Gutiérrez, 23 (2027)
Milos Kerkez, 20 (?2027)
For me Davies or Theo would be the dream signing but are will still attractive enough to convince them of coming? I'm not too sure.. Because of that I think Aït-Nouri would be the best and realistic option at LWB.
Interested to hear everyone's opinions.
I've compiled a list of a few obvious ones, their age and their contract end dates:
Alphonso Davies, 24 (2025)
Theo Hernandez, 27 (2026)
Nuno Mendes, 22 (2026)
Rayan Aït-Nouri, 23 (2026)
Antonee Robinson, 27 (2027)
David Raum, 26 (2027)
Miguel Gutiérrez, 23 (2027)
Milos Kerkez, 20 (?2027)
For me Davies or Theo would be the dream signing but are will still attractive enough to convince them of coming? I'm not too sure.. Because of that I think Aït-Nouri would be the best and realistic option at LWB.
Interested to hear everyone's opinions.
I agree with Ait-Nouri
good list. I'd add Leif Davis and Alvaro Carreras as cheaper backup alternatives (we might need 2 on that position)
Aina from Forest. He's been great for 2 seasons now for club and country.
Alphonso Davies would be #1 choice but we need to sign players who actually want to join United and have ambition to get us back to the top, not just a payday.
Ait-Nouri would be a good addition and prob #2 on my list given his age. Robinson/Theo Hernandez would be significant upgrades on what we have currently but both are older.
I'd have to know how much money United have available in the summer before I could go any futher, but getting Maguire/Lindelof/Sancho off the books along with hopefully a couple others should free up enough money to pay Davies.
Ait-Nouri would be a good addition and prob #2 on my list given his age. Robinson/Theo Hernandez would be significant upgrades on what we have currently but both are older.
I'd have to know how much money United have available in the summer before I could go any futher, but getting Maguire/Lindelof/Sancho off the books along with hopefully a couple others should free up enough money to pay Davies.
Davies is the dream/galactico option but if we end up looking for a cheaper profile, Milos Kerkez looks like the real deal to me.
Isn’t he a RB?
Hasn't Kerkez been linked to you in the past? Still early 20s, 18 months of premier league and he's improving every week offensively.
Likes of Kerkez and Semenyo are the type of up and coming players needed if you're serious about getting up the table again.
Likes of Kerkez and Semenyo are the type of up and coming players needed if you're serious about getting up the table again.
I’ve said this a few times on here, but I think Dwight McNeil is a great vertical player and someone I’ve always watched and felt would make a class LB (and an even better LWB). He has a great engine, great cross, and I think his talents are most suited to a vertical game rather than playing inside and linking.
I think if a top team bought him and turned him into a LB or LWB it could be a very shrewd move.
I think if a top team bought him and turned him into a LB or LWB it could be a very shrewd move.
Right footed but plays both equally as well. Plays LB often.
Oh god, no. No offence to you, and it’s just my opinion, but he’s not good enough. At all. I watch loads of Everton as my brother is an Everton fanatic. McNeill is awful and if this random conversion attempt didn’t work you’d be stuck with a championship level winger.
Yeah many reckon he was MOTM against City, can't decide who is the best fit for Ruben's 3-4-3 system out of
Davies
Kerkez
Ait-Nouri
Davis
Obviously there are other names on the list but those are the ones who immediately come to mind
Last edited:
We’ve had terrible experiences with left backs . Can it really get much worse as it is now? One hasn’t played in about 15 months and the other is a crock. And the guy we released in the summer is been linked with big moves because the manager we just sacked thought we didn’t need him/ didn’t rate him.
Lecces Patrick Dorgu has been linked with Manchester united in the last couple of days. Dorgu is priced at 40 million Euros and is being chased by all italian top clubs. There has also been links to Barcelona. He has got the whole package and is very fast. He is also very young and still got some brainfarts in his game. My take is that he will be world class, but do we have the patience?
Dorgu is the one that's impressed me the most given the reasonable expected price. We need to stop signing players that aren't also top athletes.
He seems to have a high ceiling but hopefully the recruitment team are learning and don't go purely for potential. We need someone who can also come and have a good immediate impact and play LWB for Amorim.
I think the thread now needs a title change to LWB rather than LB.
Good idea. Dorgu can play left Back, left wingback and even left striker. Just don´t put him on the right. He has also developed a nose for scoring as well in the last couple of months.
If we are going to go three at the back then the cut price Alvaro Fernandez return makes total sense. Better paying the 15 million for him that 40-50 million for someone else.
Kerkez sure has the energy, intensity and work rate needed.
Ait Nouri is looking good this season. Could be good in that wing back type role.
feck yes please
United under Woodward/Judge goes and pays £350,000 a week for Alphonso Davies.
United under Ineos need to be smarter than that - and Kerkez would be ideal.
United under Ineos need to be smarter than that - and Kerkez would be ideal.