Manchester United could sign another left wing-back this summer, but one target appears to be heading to Nottingham Forest.
Ruben Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United boss meant one immediate shift — playing a 3-4-2-1 system.
That formation brought Amorim huge success at Sporting, and he was always likely to bring that approach to Old Trafford.
Sure enough, Amorim has committed to playing with wing-backs, but he needed to recruit one in January.
United signed Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu from Lecce, and the Dane has shown some potential to become Amorim’s left wing-back of the future.
Dorgu is not the finished product, though, and United may need another left wing-back this summer with Luke Shaw seemingly viewed as a left-sided centre-back.
Nottingham Forest pounce for Manchester United target Cuiabano
United won’t want to splash the cash on such a signing, especially having only just invested in Dorgu earlier this year.
Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez is set for Real Madrid despite United holding a buy-back clause on the Spaniard.
Reports in Brazil suggest that United are interested in Botafogo’s Cuiabano, who had been targeted by Brighton and Hove Albion as well as Fenerbahce.
United allegedly made contact over a potential deal for Cuiabano, speaking to his representatives as well as Botafogo.
The Brazilian has bagged six goals and five assists in 51 games for Botafogo, showing his quality going forward.
United seemingly viewed Cuiabano as great competition for Dorgu without breaking the bank, given that rival offers for him in recent months had been around £6million to £7million.
Cuiabano does now appear to be heading to the Premier League – but not with United.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims Nottingham Forest are now close to signing Cuiabano alongside Botafogo teammates Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha.
An agreement now appears to be imminent as Forest again look towards the Brazilian market.
United may still have time to swoop in and strike a deal for Cuiabano too, but it looks likely that he and his Brazilian teammates will move to the City Ground instead.
Wing-backs a tricky market for Manchester United
Amorim loves playing with wing-backs, but his system can be a little difficult in terms of recruitment.
Wing-backs are far from easy to find; they need to attack like wingers and defend like full-backs.
Finding those players is tricky, especially when seeking competition on a budget – as United will be this summer.
Cuiabano could have fit the bill for United having shown his potential as an attack-minded left-back in Brazil.
Barring a late hijack, United must now move on to other targets and hope to find another reasonably-priced wing-back.
That could pave the way for Harry Amass to go out on loan and gain valuable experience elsewhere, with the teenager still learning his trade.
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