“Better options…” Manchester United fans baffled at links with injured Chelsea star

Manchester United fans have been left baffled as the club are linked with an injury-prone Chelsea star this summer.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia‘s injuries last season epitomised Erik ten Hag‘s second campaign in charge of Manchester United. Shaw missed six months of football across the campaign, while Malacia did not step foot on the pitch at all due to a long-term knee issue.

With both left-backs unavailable, the squad had to adapt, but the number of injuries weighed on the back line, leaking over 80 goals, and they suffered as a consequence.

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Multiple outlets have reiterated this summer that INEOS, who are now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford, are looking to sign a new left-back this summer to provide relief and cover in the position.

A new report from the Daily Mail claims that United are looking for new signings to compete more specifically with Luke Shaw and that Ben Chilwell is among the options that INEOS are considering.

This has caused a rather adverse reaction from fans, especially considering Chilwell’s injury record.

The 27-year-old England international missed 33 fixtures for Chelsea last season due to a long-term hamstring injury and multiple knee issues. He was not part of England’s 2024 European Championship squad.

“The only competition between these two blokes would be who gets to the injury massage table first,” one fan commented in reaction to the news.

Raisng the injury issue again, another said, “Great, he could keep shaw company in the physio room. Absolutely not”.

However, others focused on Chilwell’s ability as a player, with some detailing that there are better options on the market to offer Shaw competition.

“No leave him at Chelsea we can do better than that,” a fourth explained.

United have also been linked with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. The club is said to hold a “genuine” interest in the 20-year-old, with Fabrizio Romano providing the latest on his situation.

“Manchester United’s interest is genuine, so I think Kerkez could be one of the options, but not the only one from what I have heard,” Romano said last week.

“They are also assessing other options. I think they’re waiting to see what happens with any other opportunities in the market for that position, and they will make a decision. But left-back is another position they want to cover for this summer, for sure.”

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