The Manchester United left-back is currently recovering rom a hamstring problem which forced him to leave the pitch at the beginning of the second half against Luton in February.

Following assessments by the medical staff, the club announced Shaw would be ruled out for twelve weeks, constituting a significant blow to Erik ten Hag’s hopes of a strong finish to an otherwise disappointing season.

It’s the second time this season the 28-year-old has been side lined with a muscular injury. He was unavailable for three months at the beginning of the year after sustaining an injury against Tottenham Hotspur in August.

Shaw’s repeated absences have been exacerbated by Tyrell Malacia being unavailable for the entirety of the season, not having made a single appearance this year nor during the club’s summer pre-season tour. A recent report relayed by the Peoples Person revealed the 24-year-old defender has been suffering with mental health struggles, as well as his long-term physical injury.

In light of the struggles United have faced this season defensively, they have made the signing of a new-left back a priority this summer; to provide cover to Shaw and an upgrade on Malacia.

The club retain hope Shaw will return before the end of the season, however. And, given they are continuing to fight for Champions League qualification, as well as having reached the FA Cup semi-final with a favourable draw against Coventry City, United’s chances of success are likely to continue right until the final days of the season.

This means the initial timeline for the 28-year-old’s recovery – somewhere around the middle of March – could allow him to return with two key league fixtures still to play (Arsenal on May 11 and Brighton & Hove Albion on May 19), and the FA Cup final (May 25).

Which is why Southgate’s update on the defender’s chances of playing at the Euros is a worrying one.

Shaw travelled to join up with the England squad during the international break, despite not being fit enough to play. He was permitted by United to continue his physical rehabilitation at St George’s Park, where he was assessed by the English medical team.

Southgate contends, following these tests, it is unlikely Shaw would be able to take full part in the Euro tournament in Germany. “He’s going to be right on the edge of the season. We know now to play seven matches in a Euros is highly unlikely,” the England manager revealed.

If his international team believe Shaw will not be fit enough by the middle of June, when the Euros begins, this pours serious doubt on whether the left-back will have recovered in time to help his club side over a month prior.

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The 24-year-old has not featured for the Reds since May last year, when he helped  Erik ten Hag’s side to a crucial 2-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford. He did not take part in a single minute of United’s pre-season tour of America, owing to an undisclosed injury problem.

This absence, without a clear explanation, has continued for the entirety of this season, creating a crisis at left-back following Luke Shaw’s own long-term injury at the end of August.

Sergio Reguilon was signed on the final day of the summer transfer window in a hastily-agreed loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur to help plug this gap. Within a month, however, Reguilon suffered his own injury, likely leading Ten Hag to wonder if the left-back position was the subject of a curse.

The club decided to end Reguilon’s loan in January, sending him back to London where he promptly joined Brentford on another loan until the end of the season.

Ten Hag later revealed this decision was driven by the prospect of both Shaw and Malacia being close to a return to first-team action in January, as directed by the club’s medical team. Except this prediction did not hold true.

Shaw did return, playing against Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on January 28. Malacia has still yet to re-join first-team training. This continued absence was then subsequently exacerbated by Shaw re-injuring himself against Luton in February, ruling him out until just before the end of the season with a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

In this time, Ten Hag has been forced to deploy Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat at left-back, with predictably poor results. As such, reports indicate the club have made the signing of a new left-back a priority this summer, suggesting there is doubts over Shaw and Malacia’s ability to be consistently available next season.

With Shaw, the issue is obvious. The England international, despite being one of the most talented fullbacks in the Premier League, simply cannot stay fit. When he does play, he is usually very good. But the team suffers in his absence too much not to have a more-than-capable deputy at the ready.

Which is why the mysterious nature of Malacia’s long-term absence has been so puzzling. The former Feyenoord man would have been expected to have seized the opportunities Shaw’s injuries would have afforded him with both hands. Instead, he continues to be unavailable, despite Ten Hag revealing in February he was closing in on a return.

However, Christopher Michel (fussball.news) has now offered clarity on the situation, revealing it is not simply a physical injury ruling Malacia out; he is also reported to be struggling mentally.

News #Malacia: #MUFC has problems at left-back. Malacia is struggling not only physically but also mentally. Luke Shawn is also injured, but should remain the number 1. Manchester are therefore looking for a new Backup-left-back for the coming season. https://t.co/9NNLkyZ3D5

— Christopher Michel (@CMoffiziell) March 24, 2024

This unfortunate update explains why the club have been so guarded in their updates on the fullback, as well as the timeline for his return being constantly pushed back. If the defender is experiencing issues with his mental health, there is not the same framework for improving the situation as with a physical injury.

This explains why at various points the club’s medical staff, as well as Ten Hag himself, may have thought Malacia was set to return, only for the situation to change.

As a result of the situation with both Shaw and Malacia, Michel indicates United are “looking for a new back-up left-back for the coming season,” mirroring the summer plans The Peoples Person have laid out for officials at Old Trafford.

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An article a day until any worries about the United squad drift away.

With the upcoming transfer window constituting the first major test of the INEOS revolution at Old Trafford, it is imperative the club’s new leadership structure hit the mark this summer with new signings. And with uncertainty over the long-term future of Erik ten Hag likely to continue until the end of the season, any players INEOS identify will have to possess quality and tactical flexibility in equal measure, to account for a potential managerial change.

So too will budgetary restraints be a factor.

As explained in greater detail here, INEOS are expected to be armed with a considerable war-chest for their first transfer window, but five different areas needing five different solutions means the club will need to be mindful with their money. The Peoples Person anticipate a budget in the region of £250 million, helped by sales and expensive contracts coming to an end.

Now, with these these stipulations in mind, as they were for yesterday’s first priority target in central defence, the second area United must upgrade this summer is one position over – left-back.

Left Back on the Treatment Table

United have been deprived of a healthy left-back for large parts of this season, leading to an almost impossible issue for Ten Hag to overcome.

The Dutchman’s undisputed first-choice, Luke Shaw, has been repeatedly absent with hamstring injury. He was ruled out for three months at the end of August, returning in November, before sustaining a relapse in February. This latest problem is likely to keep Shaw out until just before the end of the season, meaning the 28-year-old will have missed over six months of football this year.

This is not a novel situation for Shaw, however.

The England international has suffered enormously with injury during his time at Old Trafford. Since signing from Southampton in 2014, he has missed 253 games for club and country – an average of 28 games a year. While there has been undoubted misfortune involved in this time, chiefly the horrific double leg break Shaw sustained against PSV Eindhoven in 2015 which almost resulted in him losing his left leg, it’s a persistent problem unlikely to improve as he approaches his thirties.

In Shaw’s absence, Tyrell Malacia would have been expected to seize the opportunity of the starting berth with both hands. Except the back-up fullback has himself been ruled out for the entire season with an unexplained issue.

Malacia has not played for United since May 2023. He did not feature in the club’s pre-season tour of America last summer, nor has he made a single social media post since July. For all intents and purposes, the 24-year-old has vanished off the face of the earth. On February 15, Ten Hag indicated Malacia would soon ready to return to training, yet there has been no update on this five weeks later.

The combination means United’s manager has been devoid of both his senior and deputy left-backs this season.

In the final days of the summer window, a hastily-agreed loan move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon was sanctioned, to provide Ten Hag with an experienced fullback. A month after he swapped London for Manchester, the Spaniard was then ruled out with an injury, likely leading the club’s medical staff to wonder whether the left-back position was a cursed one at Old Trafford.

A last-ditch compromise Ten Hag could exercise would be to swap Diogo Dalot from right-back to left-back, as the Portuguese star has played on the opposite flank many times before. But his replacement on the right – Aaron Wan-Bissaka – has himself been ruled out with injury for nearly four months this year, with two separate issues.

If that list of absences was draining to read, imagine how draining it would be to manage day-to-day.

The Effect of No Left-Back

The negative impact of being without a natural left-back, or even an out-of-position right-back, has been stark. This has been further exacerbated by the absence of Lisandro Martinez – the first-choice left-sided centre-back, who has also missed the majority of the season with injury.

So, it's pretty fair to say #MUFC gets targeted down their left a lot more than their right… pic.twitter.com/l9IIRDRvNr

— J O H N (@totalf0otball) March 21, 2024

As a result of this weakness, often opposition teams have specifically targeted the left-hand side of United’s defence far more often than the right, as demonstrated in the picture above. Given Sofyan Amrabat and Victor Lindelof have been deployed there out-of-position at times, it’s easy to see why.

But the left-back position has not only impacted United defensively; it’s also been a detriment to the team’s attacking thrust as well.

Marcus Rashford single-handedly carried United’s attack last season.

30 goals and 11 assists across all competitions constituted the winger’s best return in a red shirt, who was promptly rewarded with a blockbuster new five-year deal in July. Yet, eight months on, there are reports linking the 26-year-old with a move away from Old Trafford, and large swathes of the fanbase would be more than happy to see him go.

As good as he was last season, Rashford has been the opposite this year.

Issues with behaviour have reared their ugly head, accompanied by accusations over the winger’s work-rate, commitment, and loyalty to Ten Hag. His form has improved in recent months, but is still a long way short of justifying his £325,000-a-week contract, and prominent standing, at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

But, though The Peoples Person is loathe to excuse what have been some inexcusable performances, Rashford is the type of winger – almost more an inside-forward – who requires a strong supporting presence from the fullback behind him in order to thrive.

The 26-year-old is lethal when he’s able to cut, or run, inside the opposition’s defence.

This tactic is made exponentially more effective by having a left-back overlap, or sometimes underlap, alongside him. It’s little wonder Rashford’s best year in a United shirt was accompanied by Shaw’s best season injury-wise (the left-back missed only three games in 2022/23).

Without his trusty team mate behind him, or Shaw’s deputy in Malacia, or even an out-of-position Dalot, Rashford’s form has gone to pot. Yet United remain overly dependent on the winger to provide the bulk of their attacking threat, despite the fact his performances do not justify this dependence.

Majority of #MUFC 's chances as well (from open-play) are generated from the left half-space and left side of the box..

– ignore the assist numbers, it may have errors, rest all are accurate – pic.twitter.com/VyEGFBSsxV

— J O H N (@totalf0otball) March 21, 2024

The team’s abject form this season – both defensively and offensively – make some sense when viewed through the lens of how important the left-back position is for United; and the effect having neither of its senior options has produced on the pitch.

It is imperative the club does not allow this situation to happen again next year, regardless of who the manager is. Shaw’s injury-proneness will not improve, despite his obvious talent when fit, and Malacia’s future is a major doubt given his own issues with injury, as well as the fact he simply is not good enough from an attacking perspective to effectively deputise for the England international.

Left-Back over Right-Back

Despite the defensive chaos around him, Dalot has firmly established himself as one of United’s most important players this season, continuing to go from strength to strength under Ten Hag’s watch. The 25-year-old signed a new five-year deal last March, and is a front runner for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award at the end of the year.

His positional rival, Wan-Bissaka, received an automatic one-year extension in his deal triggered by the club in December, and was excellent out-of-position against Mohammed Salah on Sunday in the pulsating FA Cup win – his first game back from injury. At a minimum, the former Crystal Palace man is a strong back-up option to Dalot moving forward, despite some of his technical limitations.

As such, while last summer many would have been expecting United to target a new right-back to provide an upgrade on one of these players, the pair have combined to ensure it is, in fact, left-back the club must prioritise this summer, despite Shaw being the best fullback at the club if fit.

This is a big if, however, hence the need for a better alternative, as the team’s collective performance nosedives without the 28-year-old.

The Number One Target 

This is the first choice United will have to make this summer where they target a less well-known option, in order to direct funds elsewhere.

While a defender like Theo Hernandez – the flying French fullback at AC Milan – would be an excellent signing, he would likely cost as much as £60 million. United simply do not have the budget to spend this amount, while also securing the four other players they desperately need this summer. Instead, Old Trafford officials should accept a more under-the-radar option, who will still constitute a significant upgrade on Malacia.

Enter Miguel of House Gutierrez.

Gutierrez, 22, has been a foundational piece of the impressive Girona team who are currently defying expectations in third place in La Liga. At various points this season, they have been leading the league through an exciting brand of relentless attacking football, despite the entire squad costing only £29 million to assemble.

The Spanish left-back, signed from Real Madrid in 2022, is at the heart of the positional rotation Michel – Girona’s manager – demands of his team. Gutierrez will often invert into midfield to help create numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch, or he will bomb forward, through a well-timed overlapping or underlapping run, to exploit a gap in the defence.

It requires a potent pairing of technical skill and tactical awareness to perform this demanding role as effectively as the 22-year-old has this year.

1 goal and 4 assists in La Liga do not do justice to Gutierrez’s creativity, ranking in the 91st percentile for npxG + xAG (non-penalty expected Goals + expected Assisted Goals) – essentially a convoluted way of representing how much of attacking threat a player produces, irrespective of penalties.

And which player at Old Trafford would benefit the most from the Spaniard’s contributions should he be signed? Rashford.

And, likewise, which player at Old Trafford can benefit United the most when in form? Rashford.

Another argument for prioritising a strong deputy left-back this summer, aside from providing much-needed cover for Shaw, is it would then enable the English fullback to switch inside to centre-back. There is no other defender at United who can provide the same attributes Martinez does in central defence, but Shaw comes by far the closest.

In the Argentine’s absence last year following his metatarsal injury against Sevilla in the Europe League, Shaw was imperious in central defence. His performances were a large part of the reason United were able to overcome a late wobble and comfortably secure Champions League qualification with a third place finish.

Without Shaw, as United often are because of his injuries, Ten Hag’s team are as dependent on Martinez at left centre-back as they are on Shaw himself at left-back. A player like Gutierrez would provide a single solution to this dual problem, while also offering a strong attacking threat from the bench should both first-choice defenders be fit and in form.

There is one major issue, however.

Real Madrid, the club Gutierrez came through as an academy graduate and left in 2022, retain a buy-back clause on their former player. While the 22-year-old has a €35 million (£30 million) release clause to any other prospective suitors, Los Blancos are able to sign him for just €8 million this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team are likely to pursue a new left-back as well, with injury concerns over Ferland Mendy, and a Jude Bellingham-inspired formation, driving this desire. Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is the Spanish giants’ first-choice target, but Gutierrez is likely to be on the short-list just behind the Canadian.

In fact, Real Madrid may simply choose to exercise this favourable clause, only to then sell Gutierrez themselves. Why allow Girona to sell him for €35 million when you could pay €8 million yourself, and then bank the extra €27 million from someone else?

Either scenario makes a pursuit of Gutierrez difficult from United’s perspective; as does Girona being part of the City Football Group – the same entity who own Manchester City.

As such, Old Trafford officials should be mindful of not engaging in an overly difficult process for a player who may never have a chance of joining them.

The Alternative 

United will not have to look too hard to find a suitable alternative to Gutierrez – they welcomed him to Old Trafford last month.

In February, Fulham comfortably outplayed United on course to a 2-1 win, with this score line actually flattering Ten Hag’s side to a degree. Central to this performance was the Cottager’s left-back – Antonee Robinson.

The 26-year-old American international, nicknamed Jedi, was superb against United, effectively locking down the left-hand side of the pitch. It’s something Fulham fans have grown expectant of this season as Robinson’s defensive statistics are very good. Very, very good.

He ranks in the 98th percentile for interceptions, 85th for tackles, and 84th for clearances and successful aerial duels respectively. Being an excellent interceptor is a particularly desirable trait for United given how well it translates to the press-heavy style Ten Hag has sought to establish this season.

Robinson is also physically proficient, standing 5’11 with an athletic frame, and combining speed and strength in equal measure. The fullback clocked in as one of the Premier League’s fastest defenders last season with a top speed of 35.34km/h. Rashford, widely seen as United’s most electric speedster, reached 35.95km/h by comparison.

But the Fulham defender is also adept with the ball – a prerequisite to be a fullback at a top club, and an area where Malacia is lacking. Robinson displays good ball-carrying skills and an eye for a pass, as demonstrated by his six assists in the league this year.

In recent weeks, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the American international, underscoring how many clubs are beginning to take note of his impressive performances for Fulham.

Reports suggest a price of £35 million (comparable to Gutierrez) would be sufficient to prise the left-back from Craven Cottage, though United would likely have to act quickly and decisively to jump the growing queue for his services.

The Conclusion

Gutierrez is an attacking phenom who would add a great deal to United, particularly in the relationship he could quickly establish with Rashford.

His transfer fee, courtesy of a cheap release clause, his wages, and his reputation as an emerging talent all make him ideally suited to the role of Shaw’s alternative, in the way that someone like AC Milan’s Hernandez would not. And his tactical and technical strengths lend themselves to the type of system Ten Hag, or any new manager, would likely want their left-back to play in.

But the very real threat of Real Madrid looms large this summer.

Consequently, United should make an approach to Girona early in the window to establish the viability of a deal. If they meet resistance, or catch wind of interest from the Spanish capital, Old Trafford officials can then quickly change tac, and instead pursue Fulham’s Robinson. Both players offer different strengths, but the same type of upgrade desperately needed to better balance United’s defence, at similar-ish price tags.

Essentially, the club cannot miss with either option.

Tomorrow The Peoples Person runs the gauntlet over which right-wing option United must target this summer, and explains why INEOS’ top pick would likely prove the first grave mistake of their reign at Old Trafford.

The post The five areas Manchester United must address this summer – Left-Back appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Five time Premier League winner, Mikael Silvestre, has recommended that his former club Manchester United sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The centre back has been linked many times to numerous clubs and certainly seems one of the most probable targets United have on their summer transfer wish list.

He has impressed this term and has recently received a call up to the England national side alongside fellow first timer, the Red Devils’ own Kobbie Mainoo.

The Athletic also lavish praise on the Toffees player by stating “what makes Branthwaite so alluring is that his defensive abilities dovetail with his in-possession ability as a left-footed centre-back, capable of progressing play. Allied with an imposing frame and the ingredients are there for an elite centre-back”.

As a result, all of United, Real Madrid and Tottenham have been heavily linked with the player.

It has also been reported that he is INEOS’ number one target and with good reason, as he leads Europe in duels won this season.

Silvestre is yet another fan of the Carlisle-born centre back.

Responding to a question in an interview with EA FC about which defender he thinks his former side should realistically sign in the summer he claimed, “I would move for Jarrad Branthwaite. He’s the player I’d want to come to the club and challenge Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez. Hopefully, he can come and win himself some gametime”.

When asked about the potential problems of pairing Branthwaite with Martinez, he responded, “I believe you can have two left-footed centre-backs in a defensive pairing. Obviously both of them would ideally like to play on the left-side of the two, but it’s possible for one of them to move over to the right and still do a good job”.

The former France international also defended his choice by citing Martinez’s poor injury record of late and suggested a tactical switch to compensate for another left footer.

“Both of them could play in a back three because we’ve seen it in the past when Luke Shaw has tucked into that role, so I’d still consider this move for Manchester United. You don’t even know if Martínez will be fit as he’s been injured at times since arriving at the club last season”.

In his playing days, Silvestre was a versatile left-footed full back who also filled in at centre back on numerous occasions, so his stance is probably not too surprising.

However, if Ten Hag is still the manager and assuming Branthwaite is signed, it is a sensible question to ask.

Elaborating on the issue earlier this year when asked why he chose Luke Shaw to play centre back, the United manager stated “I want a player on the left side of my defence, who is comfortable on the left side of their foot, because it gives you more and better angles and that is the reason I explained from the start”.

The same logic would naturally apply to the right hand side.

Therefore, should Ten Hag still be manager in the summer and United do recruit Branthwaite, it will be an interesting question to answer.

The post Mikael Silvestre backs Manchester United to sign Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.