The left back position has been a contested one at Old Trafford over the past few seasons. Luke Shaw has failed to impress manager Jose Mourinho despite several chances, and with defenders Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind also set to leave the club, the Portugese has had to rely on converted defender Ashley Young to deputise in the absence of a better option. Alex Sandro
But with Young turning 33 in July, the club are said to be on the lookout for another left sided full back and The Times are reporting that the Manchester club may have found a player to make the spot their own in Juventus left back Alex Sandro. The 27-year-old Brazilian is valued at £50 million by the Serie A side, having been signed three seasons ago from Porto for £22.9 million.
The report says that United are close to securing his signature with Sandro pushing to get the deal done and with senior members of Juve's board expecting the transfer to go through once the current season is over.
United are also reportedly in the market for a central defender and have been linked with Barca centre back Samuel Umtiti, who currently in the midst of a contract standoff with his club. The French defender looking to become one of the best paid players at the club. His release clause is set at €60 million.
Mourinho has hinted that key transfers need to take place this summer with the United boss recently admitting that his team need more consistency and that the 55-year-old trusts some players of more than others:
Some of the people we have, they have to be more consistent in their performance; and we need more quality. I trust some more than others that can bridge that gap. That’s normal. I know the players. I worked with the players for a couple of years. I know them better than anyone. And of course, some of the players I am totally convinced are going to make it, some others I have good hopes that they are going to make it, and some others I don’t believe they are going to make it.
