Manchester United are exploring left-wingers in the summer transfer window, with Marcus Rashford set to leave the club.
Manchester United’s priority in the summer transfer window will be on replacing Casemiro, who has already confirmed he will depart Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.
“I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,” he said in his announcement. “From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.”
Replacing the Brazilian will prove a difficult task, especially considering Director of Football Jason Wilcox must also look at other positions this summer, including left-wing.
Some reports suggested Michael Carrick “would like” Marcus Rashford to return to Old Trafford in the summer – if Carrick were to keep his job – but it now seems United’s former No.10 will join Barcelona permanently when his loan deal expires. He has a £26 million buy-option in his contract.
The move is now “pretty much agreed”, as United have now identified their five-man left-wing shortlist for the summer.
The five-man shortlist
One of United’s known left-wing targets is RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande. He is included on the list, although he will likely be an expensive addition, which United may not be able to afford if more than one new midfielder is brought in.
Sport have said Diomande is on the list, alongside Como’s Jesus Rodriguez, RC Strasbourg’s Martial Godo, Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Everton’s Illiman Ndiaye.
Barcola and Diomande could prove too expensive for United, while Rodriguez and Godo could represent a good opportunity in the market. Their signings could be similar to Patrick Dorgu’s move in January 2025 as Rúben Amorim’s first signing.
Ndiaye would also be an expensive signing, but United have been known to like Premier League-proven talent with Wilcox as the Director of Football, so don’t rule out that move, even if he is likely to cost upwards of £60 million.
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United’s current left-wing options
Dorgu started Carrick’s first two games as the left-winger, before his hamstring injury against Arsenal left him on the sidelines. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have played there in his absence.
While Mbeumo could be a regular option on the right flank, Cunha has been left without a natural role in the side thanks to the switch to the back four. He likes to play in the left-half-space, the area between the left wing and the centre, but is asked to stay wide as a left-winger.
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If United bring in a new wide player, where does that leave Cunha and Dorgu? Yes, Dorgu could play at left-back, and Cunha could play as a No.10, but signing another forward could leave one of them without a place on the bench, nevermind the starting lineup. And this is without considering Mason Mount, who will also be after gametime there.
Cunha has the attributes to excel as a left-winger; he just needs time. But will he get that time?
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