Manchester United’s injury situation this season is nowhere near as bad as it was last season but the left-back position remains a pain point.
It has been nearly eight months now since Manchester United had a natural left-back to call upon in the senior team.
In that duration, Luke Shaw travelled for the Euros, made some appearances for England, and then returned to Carrington where he got injured again, missing the whole season so far.
Man United arguably dropped the ball by not signing a specialist left-back in the summer window but they intend to rectify that mistake.
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Alvaro Fernandez’s buy-back clause for United is palatable but the club seems to be aiming for the stars with a potential move for Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.
Fabrizio Romano has now dropped a major update on this developing situation.
Fabrizio Romano on Alphonso Davies to Man Utd
Ineos have been nothing but ambitious with their rebuilding of the Man Utd squad so far, seen clearly in their chase of Leny Yoro in the summer.
What looked like a pointless pursuit of a Real Madrid-bound prodigy instead became a statement gazump by the new regime.
They will have to do something similar in Davies’ case as his contract expires next summer so he will have the pick of his clubs.
United are trying to position themselves at the front of that queue which also has Real Madrid in it but Romano has given United some encouragement.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the reliable transfer insider said that the situation of Davies remains “absolutely open” and there is nothing imminent.
He said: “Interesting situation [Davies’]. As of today, I can guarantee that there is nothing agreed with Man Utd. In this moment nothing is imminent, or close, or advanced so that’s the point. The situation of Alphonso Davies remains absolutely open. Remember, the interest of Real Madrid is also there.
“But at the moment that’s it for Alphonso. No changes are expected in October. From what I’m hearing, in November and December, talks will be in important phase for what is going to happen in 2025.” [Relevant comments near the 7.16 mark]
Man Utd’s problem position
At 23, Davies will be the ideal addition to a problem position which he will fix for at least the next five years.
United’s new executive team will have to do a lot of legwork to convince Davies that his move is the best for his career like they did with Yoro.
His explosive style of play and physical prowess combined with supreme technical ability is also what United miss every time Luke Shaw misses a game, which is more often than not.
Davies’ injury history is nowhere near as alarming as United’s current fullbacks which, admittedly, is not a high bar to clear but still encouraging.
Furthermore, it will allow United to make a decision on Shaw as his contract expires in 2027 so next summer might be their best bet at getting some fee for him.
Tyrell Malacia, meanwhile, can stay as the backup while Harry Amass continues developing in Davies’ shadow and gets the odd game to usurp Malacia as the backup.
In addition, there’s the side factor of penetrating the Canadian market of fans which the previous regime would have loved. Only this time, that is secondary to the player’s on-pitch qualities.
They might not succeed in getting him, but not even trying would be foolish and that’s exactly what United don’t want to be.
“Absolutely open” means he hasn’t committed one way or the other. United need to put in the word that the eventual decision is in their favour.
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