Manchester United are pushing to sign a full back in the final weeks of the transfer window but one target has allegedly snubbed a move.
Erik ten Hag has been focusing on signing a full back after seeing Luke Shaw suffer injury problems last season.
Shaw’s injury record at Manchester United doesn’t read too well but he did make a comeback at Euro 2024.
Tyrell Malacia’s return is unclear too; the Dutchman didn’t feature at all last season and hasn’t played in pre-season either.
Right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is wanted by West Ham United with personal terms allegedly in place.
That leaves Diogo Dalot, who was outstanding last season, thriving whether deployed at right back or as a makeshift left back.
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Manchester United miss out on right back
Dalot will go into the new season as a key player but United are looking for more options.
A full back who can play on both sides appears to be the focus and reports indicate that United are preparing to sign Noussair Mazraoui.
The Moroccan knows Ten Hag from their time together at Ajax and a reunion appears to be close.
Mazraoui has played at right back and left back in his career, so his versatility suits what United want.
Other targets have been in mind though and L’Equipe claim that Jonathan Clauss actually rejected a move to Old Trafford.
As relayed by Maxifoot in France, Clauss rejected United, Aston Villa and Napoli as he weight up his options to leave Marseille.
Clauss ended up choosing a move to Nice, believing that he would have a guaranteed starting role there rather than a squad role at United.
The move to Nice – ironically another Ineos club – means 31-year-old Clauss also reunites with his former Lens boss Franck Haise.
Clauss had his reasons for choosing Nice but we are fairly confident that Ten Hag prefers Mazraoui anyway, with the Frenchman potentially just a fallback option for United.
United wanted Clauss two years ago
One factor which does add credence to the claims that United wanted Clauss is that he was on the radar a couple of years ago.
Reports in July 2022 suggested that United wanted to sign Clauss from Lens.
No deal materialised for United but Clauss did make a move, joining Marseille after a superb spell with Lens.
Now on the move once again, Clauss will be looking to build on a great reputation as an attacking right back.
Clauss racked up 15 goals and 42 assists across 159 games with Lens and Marseille, turning him into a rather late-blooming star.
United won’t be too heartbroken at seemingly missing out on Clauss though, especially if the deal for Mazraoui can be pushed through soon.
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