Manchester United’s already flailing Premier League campaign got another kick to the gut as they lost 3-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford.
Brighton have become Man Utd’s bogey team so perhaps this loss doesn’t come entirely as a shock but the mere fact that a loss at home to Brighton is expected for a club like Man Utd is shameful.
The situation is gloomy for Ruben Amorim and he tore into his team after the game in an extraordinary press conference that showed the gravity of the situation.
In a time like this, he can latch onto any positive he can get but Fabrizio Romano has just given Man Utd news they wouldn’t like after the loss.
When it rains, it pours.
Fabrizio Romano gives Alphonso Davies transfer update
Man Utd have a gaping hole in that left-sided wing-back position, arguably the most important one to make Amorim’s system work.
It is a cruel irony that the position crucial for the system is the weakest, and although Diogo Dalot is doing a serviceable job in a position that is not his, the need for an upgrade couldn’t be clearer.
As such, United have been linked with a barrage of attack-minded left-backs, from Milos Kerkez and Theo Hernandez to Alphonso Davies and Nuno Mendes.
Among those names, Davies stands head and shoulders above everyone else for his pedigree at the top level and his quality for a proven elite outfit.
United’s links with Davies came as a result of his dicey contract situation in Germany and even though Real Madrid were also linked, United were in the picture.
Not anymore, it looks like.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Davies’ contract situation is about to get sorted after “big progress” was made with Bayern recently.
He should sign an extension soon after “one more round of talks” soon, thus providing a blow to United’s chances and slimming down their options for a crucial position.
Man Utd’s dithering is costing them
United’s financial position is an open secret and that is something for which Ineos can’t be blamed because it’s the result of years of Glazer mismanagement.
However, they just haven’t been proactive or ruthless enough to make the best of a bad hand dealt to them.
With three weeks gone in January, United keep waiting for Marcus Rashford or Casemiro’s exit to free up the wages so they can make a move, while other clubs take their targets off the market.
Randal Kolo Muani was snapped up by Juventus recently and Davies is coming off the market. Theo Hernandez looks more settled in Milan after Sergio Conceicao’s arrival and for Milos Kerkez, United arguably represent a step down at present!
Antony’s potential exit probably means United are finally willing to bite the bullet and take short-term losses to clear up the long-term wage bill but it is coming too late.
At least better late than never.
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