Man United plot January signing as Tyrell Malacia savaged – Insider
Man United are plotting a move to sign a new star left-back in the January transfer window, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during their most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Tyrell Malacia failed to take his opportunities to impress Ruben Amorim.
The 25-year-old has started four games under the new boss, and has been taken off at half-time in three of those, including the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on 22 December.
However, it is not just fans who have picked up on his underwhelming performances when called upon by Amorim, and the club are now determined to improve the position.
Luke Shaw would provide the first-choice option, but his disastrous injury record has failed to provide any certainty that he will be available consistently.
The England international returned from injury in November, playing a total of 98 minutes across three games, but has since suffered another setback in his recovery.
As a result, United are set to be forced into the transfer market as the left-wing-back position has become of vital importance.
Man United plan to sign new left-back in January
Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that a left-back is one of three positions the club will look to strengthen when the January transfer window opens.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level youth recruitment and has also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that Malacia’s disappointing displays have forced the club to consider their options.
“Malacia isn’t good enough,” he told Football Insider.
“He just isn’t at the standard required for Man United, and I think they’re starting to see that now.
“They’ve given him chances to impress in a few games since Amorim came in and he hasn’t done, he looked completely out of place against Bournemouth.
“You have to bare in mind he’s had injury issues, but even with that in mind, he hasn’t been good enough.
“Then we come back to the issue with Shaw – they’re a far better team with him at left-back.
“If he was fit, he’d be in the side every week, but he isn’t fit and that’s something they’ll also have to take into consideration.
“Luckily for them, the January transfer window is around the corner and that’s something they’re going to look to improve because it is a problem position.
“They just lack real impressive options there, so that has to be a priority.”
In other news, Ruben Amorim suffering from ‘big’ transfer blow.
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