Manchester United reportedly eyeing Southampton right-back Tino Livramento, deal would have to be done this summer

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Manchester United’s right-back position is a confusing one, with three different players starting in the role in the last four games.

Diogo Dalot no longer has the role sewn up, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka back in favour, and even Victor Lindelof preferred for the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.

This has open up speculation over the position, with a fresh name thrown into the mix, Southampton defender Tino Livramento. Calciomercato reports United are keen on Livramento and have been monitoring him since last summer.

Livramento an outstanding prospect

Livramento signed for Southampton this summer from Chelsea at a bargain fee of just £5 million. The 19-year-old has become a regular in the Saints first team. Prior to that there was no chance of Chelsea being willing to sell the prospec to United.

He was particularly impressive early in the season as United were held to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. Fred was left trailing in his wake from one of his surging runs forward (above).

He is benefitting from playing under Ralph Hasenhuttl and thriving in his system, despite having never played a senior game before this season.

Livramento is an England under-21 international and Southampton teammate Theo Walcott has compared him to Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Walcott told Talksport: “He reminds me a little bit of Gareth when he came through as a full-back. That’s a big statement of course to compare him to someone like that but just feel like his presence and the way he drives and the pace and the power and it’s no surprises that you know what he’s going to do.

“He’s so strong with the ball and very clever and technically he is fantastic.”

United have also been linked to another former Chelsea right-back, Tariq Lamptey, with The Mail reporting the Brighton defender has impressed Ralf Rangnick.

This summer crucial to do a deal

It is important if Manchester United do strike a deal for Livramento, that it is done this summer, rather than simply ‘monitoring’ him and waiting an extra 12 months.

This is because The Athletic report Chelsea have a £50 million buy-back clause for Livramento, but crucially, this can only be activated in 2023.

So if United are keen on the defender, it is a case of act now or risk missing out. Livramento is a player with a high upside who is good on the ball and recently provided an assist in Southampton’s win over Everton.

United have some sorting out to do at right-back, and the performances from Ethan Laird on loan at promotion chasing Bournemouth will have to be factored in too.

A decision will have to be made by the next manager on Laird, Wan-Bissaka and Dalot. If Livramento is the preference, he will have to move right away.