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A new left-back is a priority for Manchester United in the January transfer window and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell is their top target, according to reports.
Left-back has long been a headache position for Erik ten Hag, and it came as a surprise that the only full-back signed in the summer transfer window – Noussair Mazraoui – plays on the right side of defence.
With neither Luke Shaw nor Tyrell Malacia available at all so far this season the role has mostly been filled by Diogo Dalot, who has struggled for form after an impressive campaign in his natural right-back position last time around.
According to CaughtOffside Chilwell is still firmly on the transfer list at Stamford Bridge, and United “retain an interest” in the England international, who is said to be “at the top of their list”.
Chelsea are reported to have scheduled a transfer meeting for December to finalise their plans for January, and Chilwell’s departure is already expected.
The 27-year-old is entirely out of favour at Stamford Bridge with manager Enzo Maresca seeing no future for him at the club, who are enjoying a strong start to the season.
Chilwell was frequently linked with United during the summer, but it was reported in August that a decision was made not to sign him shortly after reports that the Reds were “stepping up” efforts to bring him on board.
These rumours came to a head during the media circus surrounding Jadon Sancho’s loan switch to Chelsea, which many claimed was likely to see a player move in the opposite direction; ultimately it was just a one-way transaction.
Eyebrows were raised in May when Benfica triggered the buy option in their loan deal for the promising United left-back Alvaro Fernandez Carrera. It’s thought the deal includes a buy-back clause, and his impressive form in Portugal could be food for thought for the United hierarchy.
Brandon Williams also departed Old Trafford in the summer, but still finds himself without a club.
And while 17-year-old Harry Amass is in United’s first-team squad, he is yet to feature even in the midst of a left-back injury crisis, so it seems that Dalot or Mazraoui are most likely to plug the hole until Shaw or Malacia regain fitness.
Shaw is expected back from a calf problem later this month and Malacia is hoping to follow in November after returning to training after more than a year on from his last appearance.
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