New left-back a priority – five Luke Shaw replacements that Man Utd could sign in January

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Analysis 

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Manchester United’s plans to revitalise their squad for new manager Ruben Amorim in the January transfer window took on an extra level of urgency this week, when the club confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw had suffered another injury “setback”. The England international had made three appearances for the Old Trafford club after returning from an injury that had ruled him out for much of the season to date, but this latest news only further confirmed fears that the defender may never return as the club’s first-choice left-back going forward. Over the course of the last four seasons, Shaw has missed 107 games through injury.

“It’s hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles and was on a positive path going forward, but unfortunately I’ve had a small setback,” said Shaw in a statement on Instagram. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but this has definitely been my toughest period. I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time. I understand there is going to be people frustrated, angry, disappointed and I understand all of that. There is no one feeling that more than me at this moment in time.”

While Shaw will undoubtedly have every intention of getting back to full fitness and fighting for his spot in Man Utd’s team, it now seems clear that Amorim’s priority in the January window will be to sign a new left-back that he can rely upon from week-to-week. So what options do the Premier League giants have to hand ahead of the transfer window reopening in the new year? Using Transfermarkt’s extensive database of players and gauging the club’s transfer budget for the position on the club’s history in the market (i.e no more than the highest fee they’ve paid for a full-back, which was €55 million for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019/20) we’ve taken a look at some of the players Man Utd could sign next month. 

Perhaps the most optimistic transfer target on Man Utd’s shopping list is none other than Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies. The Canadian left-back has been consistently linked with a move away from the Bundesliga club due to his wage demands reportedly exceeding Bayern’s capacity, which has led to the player being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. However, reports have begun linking the player with a move to Old Trafford too. There’s little doubt that Davies would have reservations about joining a Man Utd side that has struggled to challenge for the top four in the Premier League, but a quick turnaround in form from Amorim could quell such concerns. And there’s little doubt that the English giants are one of the few English sides that could match Davies’ high wage demands. 

Another exciting option at left-back that Man Utd may consider is Girona star Miguel Gutiérrez. The 23-year-old talent has gone from strength-to-strength since he traded the Real Madrid reserves for first-team football under Girona head coach Míchel and along the way the wing-back has bagged an impressive five goals and 15 assists in 92 games in LaLiga. Unsurprisingly, Gutiérrez has popped up on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, including Man Utd who were heavily linked with a move for the defender in the summer transfer window. Perhaps next month may be the opportune time for the Old Trafford club to act on their long-standing interest in the young player, who would certainly make for an ideal long-term solution to their defensive woes. 

If Man Utd wanted to go down the route of a more experienced left-back, then RB Leipzig defender David Raum may be a smart option for the club. The Germany international has established himself as the first-choice options in that position for club and country and thrives as a wing-back, which would certainly suit Amorim’s tactics. As he did at Hoffenheim before joining Leipzig in 2022, Raum is an exceptional attacking full-back and finished second only to Xavi Simons in Marco Rose’s Leipzig squad for league assists last season. And with his name being heavily linked with moves to Bayern and Man Utd in recent weeks, Leipzig will likely be gearing up to sell their coveted defender to the highest bidder. 

Should Amorim and his backroom staff prefer to spend their money on a player that has already established himself in the Premier League, then Wolves wing-back Rayan Aït-Nouri may be the ideal option for the Old Trafford club. Since making the move from Angers in 2021, Aït-Nouri has slowly but surely settled into his role as one of the English top-flight’s most underrated wing-backs. And while he may not be able to claim the sort of assists as some of the other names on today’s shortlist, his exceptional dribbling and defensive attributes would certainly make him a smart signing for Amorim’s side. 

Last but certainly not least on this list is Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian defender made the move to the Premier League last year after signing from AZ Alkmaar for just under €18m and has taken to the English top-flight like a duck to water. Although the 21-year-old is still learning his trade, he’s already shown an impressive capacity to take players on and dribble into the final third with speed and purpose. And if Amorim would prefer to sign a player that he could mould into the ideal wing-back for Man Utd, then the Bournemouth prospect may be his ideal candidate.