Manchester United want to bolster this position in January: report

Manchester United are keen on adding another full-back to their ranks to serve as a back-up option for Luke Shaw, according to reports.

Right back Diogo Dalot, who has made just two appearances so far, was signed in the summer for a fee of £19m but it was thought Man United would go further and sign a replacement for Luke Shaw, whose career at Old Trafford looked to be over. Alex Sandro was viewed as a primary candidate, while Danny Rose and Kieran Tierney were also name as options.

But Shaw’s resurgence this season, winning the ‘Player of the Month’ award twice and earning a new contract, has eased pressure on the need to sign a left-back.

According to M.E.N‘s Samuel Luckhurst, United remain keen on bolstering that position and will look to sign a specialist full-back to serve as back-up for Shaw.

Any move in the January transfer window is unlikely but the club’s hierarchy is aware of the need to improve the full-back position, which has become increasingly important in the modern game – especially with so many teams either playing 4-3-3, relying on full-backs for width, or three at the back.

Matteo Darmian is not good enough for this level, while Marcos Rojo hardly ever plays due to injuries. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, are both 33, making it paramount that United modernise that position.