Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will have to wheel and deal to strengthen his squad in January but he is determined to bring in a new left-back with Luke Shaw out
Manchester United want to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri this month as Ruben Amorim pushes for January reinforcements.
The Red Devils have endured a torrid season and are currently 13th in the Premier League table under Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag back in November after the Dutchman paid the price for United’s poor form.
United don’t have the funds to overhaul their squad in the current transfer window but Amorim has identified left-back as an area of the squad which needs bolstering. And Ait-Nouri, 23, is seen as an attainable target.
As revealed by The Independent, United are fans of the attack-minded full-back, who has impressed in a Wolves team that has also struggled this season. The Algeria international would likely cost less than Nuno Mendes, another United target.
It’s said that Paris Saint-Germain will not allow Mendes, 22, to depart for less than €60million (£50.6m) this month. That sum is beyond United, who would also have to take on the Portugal international’s sizeable salary.
Ait-Nouri has shown he is capable of playing both at left-back and as a wing-back. It’s said his adapatability is appreciated by Amorim, who has been forced to deploy Diogo Dalot as a left wing-back with Luke Shaw injured.
Tyrell Malacia, United’s other senior left-back, is rumoured to be edging closer to a loan move away from Old Trafford after putting his own injury struggles behind him.
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United, who are also interested in Ait-Nouri’s team-mate, Matheus Cunha, are expected to try and offload players this month in a bid to free up funds for Amorim, who has yet to make a signing since succeeding Ten Hag.
Marcus Rashford is one player who seems likely to depart. He has been left out of United’s recent matchday squads and has openly admitted he wants a new challenge with a loan move abroad on the cards. Antony is another who could leave on loan, with Real Betis in talks over a move.
Casmiro has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte impressing as a midfield partnership under Amorim. It’s understood the former Real Madrid star is one of United’s highest earners, so shifting him off the wagebill would likely appeal to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s powerbrokers.
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