Man United installed as bookies favourites to sign David Alaba after confirmed news
Man United are the clear favourites to sign free agent David Alaba with some top UK bookmakers after he left Real Madrid.
Michael Carrick is aiming to bolster his defensive options this summer as United prepare to return to the Champions League.
A new left-back is a priority target for the Red Devils to provide competition to Luke Shaw, with Harry Amass expected to leave on a permanent deal.
Alaba has long been linked with a move to United after building a reputation as one of the most reliable defenders in European football.
He is now 34-years-old and a free agent after leaving Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract, with the Red Devils backed to seal his signature ahead of any other club.
Alaba proved his fitness at the World Cup with several strong performances as Austria captain to take them to the round of 16 stage.
Man United clear favourites to sign David Alaba with top bookies
Alaba has only ever been permanently contracted to two clubs, after coming through the ranks at Bayern Munich over 15 years ago.
He made 431 appearances and won 27 major honours with the German giants, while tying the club record for most Bundesliga titles won, with 10.
The versatile defender departed Bayern for Real in 2021, and continued to impress but was plagued by injuries in the last three of his five seasons at the club.
The 34-year-old has featured 116 times for his country, while leading them as captain since 2021, so his expertise and experience can certainly not be questioned at this point of his career.
Since he left Real at the end of last season, two leading UK bookmakers have now installed United as the favourites to be his next club, at odds of 15/8.
What has Alaba said about his next move?
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Man United are targeting Neco Williams alongside Lewis Hall, so a new left-back is clearly on the agenda this summer.
Alaba has featured on the left of a back four for the majority of his career, but is now mainly used as a centre-back.
He was asked about his plans for the future directly after Austria were dumped out of the World Cup by eventual winners Spain on 2 July, and insisted that he wants to keep playing in a top league.
Alaba told reporters: "A new chapter is beginning, and I'm open to anything, ruling nothing out, but I want to stay at the highest possible level. I haven't thought about anything other than the World Cup until this moment. I'll need a few days to absorb this tremendous bitterness, and then I can think about other things. Don't worry, you'll still be talking about me."