“Really happy…” – Fabrizio Romano’s 2021 Man United transfer claim has come back to bite them

Manchester United are desperately looking to try and sign a left wingback for their new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Ideally, that will come in the January transfer window, with the Reds currently struggling under Amorim in his new system.

However, sales are needed in order to buy anyone mid-season and it may be difficult to find any suitors for United players right now.

But it is quite clear that a left-wingback is needed. Diogo Dalot has failed to perform well there while Tyrell Malacia has also unimpressed. Luke Shaw needs to prove his fitness before even being considered.

United interested in Mendes as left-wingback signing

Currently, it appears that Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain is the prime target for the position.

The defender, who previously worked under Amorim at Sporting, does not want to stay at the French club and is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract there.

It has been claimed that Mendes would be open to join United and reunite with Amorim, but any deal for the 22-year-old would be costly and perhaps too ambitious for the January window.

Mendes joined PSG in the summer of 2021, initially on a loan deal, after being a major impact in Amorim’s first title-winning season at Sporting in 2020/21. It was the first time the club had won the Primeira Liga since 2002.

He played 29 league games during that season, and was the standout left-wingback option for Amorim’s side despite still being a teenager, leaving clubs around Europe battling for his signature.

United ignored Mendes deal in 2021

Of course, it was PSG who secured his signing in the following summer for around £34 million but United were also interestingly linked with the player.

At the time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had Shaw and Alex Telles as left-back options and Fabrizio Romano’s update on the situation in 2021 has resurfaced.

The Italian journalist reported in September 2021: “Man United were not looking at this option [Nuno Mendes] because they have Telles, Luke Shaw. So they are really happy with their left backs.”

That will be quite grim reading for United fans in 2025, who know that now Shaw can barely get a game without injury and Telles is currently playing is Saudi Arabia.

The lack of forward thinking at Old Trafford led to deals like Mendes–which seemed an even greater option due to the initial loan–falling through the cracks. Now, they are interested in him three and a half years later for a larger price tag.

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INEOS have caused a lot of controversy with their cost-cutting approach, but also seem to be more aware of the importance of signing young talents, like Mendes, rather than more experienced options.

It remains to be seen whether Mendes does eventually make the move to Old Trafford, a few years later than he perhaps should have.

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