This season our Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern have enjoyed a little reminder of back to the old school football under Jose Mourinho in his second season, as things start to click there’s still a huge problem in the left back position that our regulars think the boss needs to address.
According to reports via ESPN, Mourinho has sent his scouts over to Spain to watch talented young left-back Aaron Martin, the Espanyol man has made quite the impression on the two Manchester clubs, our landlord thinks it looks likely if a move was to go ahead, the Spanish side would start the bidding at the buy out clause minimum €40m.
Mourinho has not been able to settle on a regular left-back this season with Luke Shaw coming back from injury as is Marcus Rojo. Meanwhile, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young have all been given a shot at the position, but our lager swilling regular thinks United need to address this issue now before it’s too late.
The glass collector believes if Martin comes in, these three are out the door…
Luke Shaw
The one-time Premier League left-back of the season has failed to keep up his expected trajectory at Old Trafford, blighted by injury and bad form. As a result, his run in the team has been stop-start and, for that reason, hasn’t impressed either LVG or Mourinho.
With Shaw’s contract due to run out in the summer, the presence of a new, young left back amongst the squad would send Shaw heading further down the pecking order.
Matteo Darmian
The Italian right-back by trade can also play on the left, with the outstanding form of Antonio Valencia in recent seasons, Darmian has had to make do with a bit part role in any position he can get.
Mourinho likes two specialists per position and the former Torino man doesn’t really fit the bill within the squad, sadly for him.
A useful squad player but to thin the herd, the utility full-back will surely face the chop.
Ashley Young
Another with his contract expiring this summer, Young has failed to hold down any type of regular position since the Fergie days.
The former right winger is – nowadays – used more of a stand-in left or right fullback and, while he performs fairly well, surely isn’t a long-term option.
With age and no real identity against him, a more versatile Blind may get the nod ahead of him when it comes to a three-man shortlist to head out of the door.
