Manchester United Transfer News: New Left-Back Target as Napoli Eye Alejandro Garnacho
The January transfer window finally presents Manchester United, now managed by Ruben Amorim, the chance to get down to business on the market. The amount of work probable inside Old Trafford points toward several incomings and possible outgoings. In an attempt to sort it, one key area of interest has been a spot at left-back.
Manchester United entertain Brighton on Sunday in the Premier League, but for a lot of us, the main event happens in the current transfer window at the club this month. Of course, Amorim's team will probably share the same fate later in the table by the weekend, but a win at the Theatre of Dreams will give everyone that morale boost needed by the manager to get the train back on course in the second phase of the ongoing season.
Amid the speculation on transfer activity, Manchester United are targeting a new left-back, while Napoli will prepare to open talks over the future of Alejandro Garnacho.
Ruben Amorim's Tactical Changes and How It Effects Manchester United's Transfer Plans in January
Speculation over the apparent availability of all members of Manchester United's playing squad at any price having died down, the emphasis in the past few days has seen a shift toward the players who might be coming and going by the month's end. And indeed, there's an increasing expectation that United need to sell some before they buy any. Linked with a potential exit is Marcus Rashford, whose future at Old Trafford seems in doubt for a while.
However, Rashford might not be the only player on the move in this mid-season reshuffle. The latest reports indicate that United are targeting the left side of their defense, with a number of candidates emerging as potential options for the club.
Nuno Mendes Rejects Manchester United Move
L'Equipe report that the Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes has given Manchester United a knockback. Mendes, previously under the same tutelage as Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, had been viewed as a potential fit for the left wing-back berth in United's 3-4-3 system. However, the 21-year-old Portuguese international seems likely to remain in the French capital, where he is under contract until 2026.
Despite Mendes' reluctance to leave Paris, United had been considering a move for the talented defender in January. Mendes played for PSG in their recent 2-1 victory over Lens, putting in a decent performance in the win.
Rayan Ait-Nouri: A Viable Alternative for Manchester United?
With Mendes seemingly off the table, another potential target has emerged for Manchester United in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri. Per The Independent, Ait-Nouri might prove a tempting alternative to United, as his transfer and wages might prove more manageable than Mendes.
Left-back Ait-Nouri, 22, was born in France but represents Algeria. This is indeed his best goalscoring season. The Wolves are having a pretty tumultuous season, but the young left-back has been one of their bright spots this campaign. He is capable of affecting both the back and front for United, probably one of the reasons why United contacted Wolves for the left-back.
Of course, Wolves fullback Rayan Ait-Nouri is not the only one on United's radar. Forward Matheus Cunha is reportedly on the cards also. Cunha is said to be of interest to Arsenal as well, so at this point in the transfer window, everything remains speculative regarding him.
Conclusion: Manchester United's Transfer Priorities
While the thinking of Amorim with respect to his squad remains, along with Manchester United's needs, which are immediate in many ways, concentration will fall toward the left side of their backline. It may be a different bid for Mendes; another player altogether-which will very likely make January a telling month with regard to Manchester United transfer strategy.
Stick around for the latest news regarding Manchester United transfers and player movement over the coming weeks.