Erik ten Hag keen to bring Miguel Gutierrez to Old Trafford, Man United locked in talks with Real Madrid | OneFootball

Manchester United were forced to play without a specialist left-back for the majority of last season due to injuries plaguing both their full-backs and INEOS are keen on fixing the problem this summer.

Luke Shaw missed 36 games last term as his injury curse seemed to return with a vengeance. Erik ten Hag and the medical team’s handling of the situation did not help with the Englishman yet to regain fitness.

He was selected by Gareth Southgate for the Euros but is yet to feature and has been sitting on the bench, as predicted by his club manager.

His deputy Tyrell Malacia, signed by Ten Hag in his first summer, missed the entirety of the season and there are doubts regarding his fitness moving forward. There have also been reports stating the club are open to moving him on.

LB problems last season

Academy graduate Alvaro Fernandez was deemed not ready for the step-up and the Spaniard has since permanently joined Benfica. United brought in Sergio Reguilon on loan but he proved injury-prone and his short-term deal was ultimately terminated in January.

The injury crisis got so bad that defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and centre-back Victor Lindelof were forced to play in that position and the results were far from flattering.

Towards the end of the campaign, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, both right-backs by trade, took turns playing on the opposite flank and it is clear that the Red Devils need to sign a proper left-back irrespective of what happens with the two current incumbents.

Lots of names were linked but according to reports in Spain, Miguel Gutiérrez of Girona has emerged as the top choice for Ten Hag who is said to be “obsessed” with the 22-year-old.

The Spaniard played an instrumental role, netting twice while providing nine assists, as Girona qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

He was in the top one percent among his peers in the same position in Spain for chances created and recoveries (as per fotmob), which highlights how comfortable he is with his both facets of the game, something the United boss wants from his full-backs.

EtH wants Gutiérrez

Real Madrid have the option to bring him back to the Bernabeu for a mere €8 million, a clause they will exercise, but “they will not bet on him” as they simply have “no space”.

Los Blancos already have Ferland Mendy and are also trying to sign Alphonso Davies, and once they re-sign Gutiérrez, they will instantly look to move him on.

The Spanish U21 international is being eyed by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool but it is United who are “betting most strongly” for the “lightning quick” full-back as Ten Hag “is not happy with the left-backs at his disposal”.

United “already asked” the cost to land the full-back with Real set to make a huge profit from the whole operation. The Spanish giants are asking for €40 million but there is hope that a reduced fee can be agreed.

It would be quite the stunning swoop if the deal materialises. Whether INEOS have the money to land the defender remains to be seen.

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