Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso is determined to stay at the La Liga champions despite being offered a two-year contract by Premier League outfit Manchester United.
Since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2022, Spain international Marcos Alonso has started only 12 top-flight games in Barcelona colours, jet-heeled youngster Alejandro Balde establishing himself as Xavi’s first choice in the position.
But, despite that shortage of game time, Alonso is confident that better days are around the corner. Marca say that, following the departure of Jordi Alba – the veteran leftie reuniting with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami – Alonso feels that there will be opportunities for him to grasp at the Camp Nou.
As such, the one-time Bolton and Sunderland flyer has made it clear that he ‘does not want to go to Old Trafford’, to quote Marca.
Manchester United fail in Marcos Alonso offer
Manchester United are in the market for a left-back after Luke Shaw joined Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines. Alonso has reportedly been offered a two-year deal by Erik ten Hag’s side. He would spend the first season on loan before joining permanently when his Barcelona contract expires in the summer of 2024.
United will now be forced to focus their attention elsewhere, however; Alonso’s determination to stay and fight for his place potentially opening up a window of opportunity for Marc Cucurella or Nicolas Tagliafico instead.
Interestingly, Alonso scored against Ten Hag’s Man United side in the Europa League last season. He headed home at the back post in the Camp Nou leg of that thrilling round-of-32 tie in the spring, goals from Fred and Antony putting United through a week later at Old Trafford.
Shaw, meanwhile, could be out of action until November.
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Ten Hag wants another left-back
“It can be (that we bring in a new left-back),” Ten Hag hold the Manchester Evening News before that dramatic comeback win over Nottingham Forest.
“I think we always have to anticipate on situations. If there are opportunities (to sign someone) then yes. But it has to be the right player otherwise we have to deal with the current squad.”