Following the emergence of Antonio Valencia in the right-back position in recent years, our Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are looking towards life after the 33-year-old gets to his ‘Gary Neville’ time.

Valencia was a powerful and pacey winger when he first signed for United, and with no real right back in the team he was, by chance, thrust into a role that he has thrived in ever since – turning himself into one of the first names on the team sheet and stand-in captain for the retiring Michael Carrick.

However, with Valencia entering his mid-thirties soon, talk in the bar among our regulars has turned into who to replace him with.

It’s reported that Jose Mourinho would prefer to bring in a left and a right back this summer, with both his current first choices being way above the 30 mark. Luke Shaw, for many, would be the ideal candidate for the left-back role – but things just haven’t turned out that way for the England man.

Indeed, our landlord has taken a look around Europe and identified these TWO right-backs that could eventually replace Valencia at United…

Almamy Touré

The 21-year-old Monaco right-back has only made 10 starts so far in Ligue 1, however, he has a great assist record for that return and United love nothing better than a fullback who can bomb forward and assist the forwards in grabbing goals, much like Gary Neville did.

He has good aerial skills and can tackle when he is needed to, other strengths include being able to find that key pass when he is presented with the opportunity, hence the reason he has six assists this season in his handful of games.

Daniel Carvajal

The Spaniard is a little older than Toure and is a mainstay in the Real Madrid team this season with his 24 appearances so far this campaign, although it’s not been one of the best for ‘Los Blancos’.

Carvajal is a great dribbler of the ball and can kick-start an attack from the fullback position, which is something many if the fans would like to see Shaw do on more of a regular basis.

It may command a high fee to tempt Madrid to sell their right-back but surely with United wanting to close the gap, money will be no object.