As a result, in order to tackle such an issue, the Red Devils may turn their attention to the transfer market.
When will Luke Shaw be able to return from his injury?
The club is concerned that the left-back’s injury is worse than they expected.
Indeed, Shaw has suffered a muscular injury, and according to the Manchester Evening News, he might be sidelined for up to two months, putting him out until late October.
United first stated that the England international would be out for weeks rather than months.
Who may take Luke Shaw’s place at Manchester United?
Erik ten Hag is currently without a senior left-back due to an injury to Shaw’s understudy, Tyrell Malacia.
One option is to move Lisandro Martinez to left-back, but another is to raid the transfer market before it closes on Friday evening.
One target, according to Fabrizio Romano, is Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
On Saturday evening, the writer posted on Twitter, “Manchester United made contact with Chelsea to ask about the conditions of Marc Cucurella’s potential loan deal — no bid or concrete talks yet.”
How talented is Marc Cucurella?
Unfortunately, the answer is not very. With Brighton, the Spaniard burst onto the Premier League scene with electrifying displays down the left wing.
According to FBref, Cucurella was among the top 14% of Premier League left-backs for progressive carries and the top 12% of positionally similar players for progressive passes during the 2021/22 season.
Only 10% of left-backs completed more passes and attempted more passes into the final third than the now 25-year-old Brighton player at the time.
Fast forward to now, and the 5’8″ full-back is now a “burden” at Chelsea, according to reporter Josh Bunting.
Cucurella finished the 2022/23 season ranked among the top 55% of full-backs for progressive carries and the top 39% for progressive carries. That’s a step back, and it’s emblematic of his miserable stint at Stamford Bridge.
Defensively, he has been abysmal, being among the top 74% in interceptions and 77% in percentage of dribblers tackled.
This would appear to be another terrible deal for Ten Hag and company, who appear to be error-prone in the back and weak in offensive prowess.
They only chose the short-term option in Wout Weghorst in January, and we all know how that turned out.
As Cristiano Ronaldo left and Manchester United were unable to identify a suitable successor, the Dutchman was brought in on a temporary basis.
However, after failing to score in all 17 Premier League outings, it’s reasonable to say the move was a flop.
United do require a left-back, it is true, but a short-term solution for a player as out of form and out of favor as Cucurella would be disastrous. It is possible that their Weghorst disaster may be repeated.
The club’s recruitment team would be wise to look for alternatives here.
