Manchester United ‘eyeing up’ ex-player for Old Trafford return but face fierce competition

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for one of their former players as Erik ten Hag looks to reinforce a poor, injury-stricken Old Trafford defence.

Manchester United urgently need defensive reinforcements this summer after a season in which they conceded 81 goals across all competitions, including a record 52 in the Premier League.

With Raphaël Varane departing and the futures of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, and Jonny Evans uncertain, the club are moving quickly and looking to sign Matthijs de Ligt.

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However, another position that must be considered is left-back, with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia serving long-lasting spells on the sidelines due to injury. Malacia did not play a single minute of the 2023/24 campaign, while Shaw missed six months’ worth of club football.

United had Sergio Reguilón in their ranks for the first half of the season, but his loan move from Tottenham Hotspur was cut short when it looked like Shaw and Maalcia were returning – but this turned out to be false hope.

Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ended up having to share the auxiliary left-back role for the remainder of the campaign, bar a short spell when Shaw returned during February, and the club are said to be hunting for reinforcements.

According to the Spanish outlet AS, United are once again considering Reguilón. The Old Trafford club has “once again shown interest” in the Spanish left-back but faces competition.

It is also noted that West Ham is eyeing up the player who spent the second half of last season on loan at Brentford, as his parent club, Tottenham, do not want him.

Interest also seems to be gathering across Europe, with Juventus having him on a list of options to replace the departing Alex Sandro.

However, it is not mentioned if any concrete steps have been taken by either of the aforementioned clubs so far in the summer window.

“It has been great to play for Manchester United and I just want to say thank you to the club, the fans and my teammates,” Reguilón wrote once his departure from Old Trafford was confirmed in January.

“It was a privilege to play for this huge club.

“I wish all the best for the Red Devils.”

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