Man United submit £2.5m loan bid for Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella with Erik ten Hag scrambling for cover at left-back after injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia
- Manchester United submit £2.5m loan bid for Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella
- United turn to Spaniard as they look for back-up for injured left-back Luke Shaw
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Manchester United have submitted a £2.5m loan bid for Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella as they chase a new left back.
The Blues have entered talks with the Red Devils over the deal, but are looking for a £5m loan fee for their Spanish defender.
United have been on the search for a new left back, with Luke Shaw set for an extended period of time on the sidelines with a muscle injury.
Tyrell Malacia, another alternative option in the position is also out injured, leaving 20-year-old Alvaro Fernandez as United’s only recognised left back option at the club.
Diogo Dalot was deployed at left-back in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, but United are keen to find a short-term back-up for Shaw before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Manchester United have submitted a bid for Chelsea’s Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella
United are seeking cover at left-back as Luke Shaw has been sidelined with a muscle injury
Erik ten Hag wants to recruit a new left-back before the transfer window closes on Friday
Cucurella is viewed as the top candidate by United because it’s believed he would most suit Erik ten Hag’s system.
The Spanish international is yet to play a single Premier League minute so far this season, having been an unused sub in Chelsea’s first three games and is behind Ben Chilwell in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
He arrived in west London in a £55m deal from Brighton in 2022, and played 33 games in Chelsea’s turbulent campaign last season.
United have turned to Cucurella after Marcus Alonso reportedly turned down a loan move to Old Trafford as he wants to remain at Barcelona.
Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon and Brentford’s Rico Henry could also be possible alternatives, with Mail Sport reporting on Monday that United had made initial checks into Henry’s availability.
The 26-year-old missed just three Premier League games last season and is seen as consistently impressive performer.
However, it is believed it would be difficult to lure Henry out of Brentford this late in the window, and his arrival would come at a significant cost.
Tyrell Malacia is also out injured, leaving 20-year-old Alvaro Fernandez as United’s only recognised left back option
Rico Henry has been another target of United’s but is unlikely to move this late in the window
