Erik ten Hag has finally found his perfect Luke Shaw alternative as Man Utd solve problem position
Manchester United is reportedly targeting a La Liga player as part of Erik ten Hag’s efforts to revamp the squad during the summer transfer window. As highlighted by Spanish sources and covered by the Daily Express, the club is ready to meet Real Madrid’s valuation for left-back Miguel Gutiérrez.
Under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, major changes are expected at Old Trafford. One key area of concern is the left-back position, where injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last season left the team without a natural option for much of the campaign. This summer, the club’s management, in partnership with INEOS, is focusing on addressing this issue.
Gutiérrez, who joined Girona two years ago, has remained on Real Madrid’s radar due to a buy-back clause that they plan to exercise. Madrid intends to re-sign him and then sell him to Manchester United for a reported fee of £34 million. The 22-year-old was part of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning squad in 2022, highlighting his talent and potential.
The recurring injuries of Shaw and Malacia have significantly hampered Manchester United’s left-back options. Shaw’s fitness has been a persistent problem throughout his time at the club, and his latest injury has ruled him out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Euros, raising questions about his dependability.
The left-back crisis forced Manchester United to deploy players out of position, including defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and center-back Victor Lindelöf, neither of whom provided a long-term solution. Given the situation, it’s understandable why Ten Hag is prioritizing reinforcements in this position.
Manchester United faces competition from Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal, all of whom are interested in the Spanish international. However, United appears to be leading the race for his signature, driven by Ten Hag’s dissatisfaction with his current left-back choices.
Aside from targeting a left-back, Manchester United is also working on signing a striker and a central defender, aiming to bolster several areas of the squad ahead of the new season.
