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Last season with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia absent, Erik ten Hag had to resort to playing multiple players out of position to fix the problem position.
The Englishman ended up missing 36 games last term while the Netherlands international failed to even make an appearance.
Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both right-backs by trade, took turns playing as a left-back during the business-end of the season.
The manager was even forced to play centre-back Victor Lindelof and defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in that key position, such was the injury crisis at that time. INEOS do not want a repeat of the same situation and want to fix this issue moving forward.
LB search ongoing
Malacia is yet to return to training and there is no fixed timeline regarding his return while Shaw is likely to earn a break after the Euros which means the Red Devils are likely to be without a specialist left-back for the start of the season unless a new one is recruited.
United have been linked with a move for Milos Kerkez, Miguel Gutierrez, Ben Chilwell and even Sergio Reguilon just to name a few but the name of Turkish star Ferdi Kadioglu has been doing the rounds a lot recently.
The 24-year-old’s exploits for Fenerbahce last season meant plenty of teams were interested and those interest levels soared following his displays for his country during the Euros.
The left-back netted thrice and registered five assist for his club with Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Wolves and an unnamed English team joining the Red Devils in the chase for the Turkey international.
As per TeamTalk, United are in pole position, having booked a meeting with the player’s entourage in the coming days while his asking price of €25 million meant the Germans were forced to leave the race.
The Gunners are currently focusing on Riccardo Calafiori which has allowed the 20-time English league champions a free run. Or that is what INEOS had thought.
Mourinho planning to thwart United
It has now emerged that new Fener boss Jose Mourinho is keen to keep a hold of the marauding full-back and wants the board to block any approaches for Kadioglu. It will now most likely take a huge offer to change their minds.
“Manchester United are leading the chase to sign Ferdi Kadioglu this summer having booked in talks for a player also of interest to both Arsenal and Wolves – but TEAMtalk can reveal any move will likely be strongly opposed by Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.
“Fenerbahce’s recently-appointed coach Jose Mourinho likes the player a lot and has made clear to the Turkish side’s board that he would oppose any move to sell the 24-year-old.”
The race has just got more complicated from United’s perspective and it remains to be seen whether the new co-owners keep going ahead or move on to a relatively easier target.
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