Could United look to Portugal to solve their left back issues?
| Image from TVI24 |
If we firstly look at Alex Telles, who has been consistently performing over the last few seasons for the Portuguese side Porto and had been doing well this season until the football was curtailed because of the covid-19 pandemic. Telles who has been touted as one of the most brightest attacking left-backs in Europe as last season, he managed to score four goals and provided eight assists. So far this season, he has scored 10 goals in 41 appearances.
The 27 year old has an abundance of pace and skill, and with his left foot can strike the ball with immense power. He is also known for his good dribbling skills, crossing and set-piece taking.
With Ashley Young having left United back in January, there is competition for the left back position with Brandon Williams keen to stake his claim for the starting place, there is also Luke Shaw who can play in this position, though Solskjaer had been using him in the left of the back three before the season was curtailed. If United do decide to buy Telles, he would offer a great attacking threat on the left and can also be used as a winger.
Telles’s contract with Porto expires at the end of the 2020/21 season and currently his buyout clause is at €40 million (about £36 million), which considering for a player in his prime years with many more left in him, United may want to look at the possibility of signing Telles.
The second player we will be looking at is Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo, who at 24 years old has become one of the most coveted players in Europe and so far has won eight major honours.
Back in January 2018, United were first linked to this player as then manager Jose Mourinho had been looking to fill the problematic left back position. Luke Shaw has been at the club for six years now and his time here up and down as he has overcome the major injury of breaking his leg to then being in and out of the side, not getting a consistent run of games.
Grimaldo has a sweet left foot and has been consistently important in Benfica’s attacking play, plus he does defensive duties well. He is known for his great link up play, setting up his teammates with chances to score. When on the ball, he wants to create something as he is blessed with energy, pace and dribbling skills. If Solskjaer wants to give competition for both Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams, then United may renew their interest in this player. In terms of how much he could cost, it may be in the range of £30 million in order to get him.
For me personally, I do not think we need to sign Telles or Grimaldo as the emergence of Brandon Williams this season means we have a left back that will be playing for United many years to come. From watching him at Old Trafford this season, I believe he got everything to succeed with both his defensive and attacking qualities.
If Williams is not playing, then Luke Shaw can step into this position if he is not playing left of three centre back partnership. To give those two players even more competition at left back, then you can look at possibly introducing Demetri Mitchell and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from the under 23's into the first team.
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