Manchester United told next signing is “not great” by former player

Manchester United are hunting for a new emergency left-back after Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sustained long-term injuries.

Erik ten Hag is in the middle of an injury crisis at Manchester United, with eight players currently sidelined with problems ranging from one week to multiple months.

Rasmus Højlund has a back problem, Amad is nursing a knee injury, Kobbie Mainoo injured his ankle in pre-season, Tom Heaton has problems with his calf, Mason Mount injured his hamstring against Tottenham, and Raphaël Varane is currently out with an unknown issue.

Read More: Latest on Luke Shaw’s “worse than first thought” Manchester United injury

However, two of the more long-term issues are with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, who both occupy the left-back position – and Ten Hag has been searching for a replacement in the final days of the window.

United are said to have proposed a loan move with Chelsea for their Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella with a £2 million loan fee, although this was rejected. But, talks are continuing between the two clubs.

Former United player Mikaël Silvestre has explained that although Cucurella has attacking qualities, he is worried that his defensive frailties with hurt United.

“I’m not sure about Cucurella,” Silvestre told Bettingexpert. “Offensively, he has shown a lot of qualities, but defensively, he’s not great, and United need that platform at the back, so he wouldn’t be my number one pick.

“Anyone that comes in would be a number three choice.”

United have until Friday 1 September at 11 pm BST to secure the signing, with the club confident that a move will come to fruition.