Manchester United, one of the most prominent football clubs in Europe, is reportedly set to offer a struggling England international a chance to revive his career. This move comes amidst an exciting start to this summer's transfer window that has seen the club acquire promising youngsters Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
The Red Devils marked the beginning of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's tenure by spending £90 million on Zirkzee and Yoro, successfully outbidding competitors AC Milan and Real Madrid for their signatures. However, reports suggest that Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, is now looking at strengthening other areas of his squad following a disappointing eighth-place finish in last season's league.
Injury crisis at Old Trafford
Last season was particularly challenging for Manchester United due to an injury crisis that heavily impacted their defence. Ten Hag was forced to play without a natural left back during the final third of the campaign. The return of Luke Shaw from injury will undoubtedly be beneficial; however, his consistent history with injuries raises concerns about his reliability.
Tyrell Malacia also became a subject of ridicule on social media due to his prolonged and unexplained absence last season which saw him fail to make even a single appearance or join this summer's tour of the United States.
Big gamble for United with Chilwell
According to TalkSPORT reports, ten Hag seems unwilling to risk another injury-plagued season. As such, Manchester United appears set on making a move for Chelsea left back Ben Chilwell who has been deemed surplus by incoming manager Enzo Maresca leading fueling departure rumours.
Chilwell arrived at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in a £50 million deal but now holds an estimated market value around £25 million according to TransferMarkt. This suggests that negotiations could lead to a reasonably priced deal. However, Chilwell himself is not without injury concerns. Last season, he missed 35 games due to injuries which resulted in a drop in form and his subsequent exclusion from the England squad for Euro 2024.
Manchester United's potential move for Ben Chilwell could be seen as an attempt to bolster their defence following last season's injury crisis. However, given Chilwell's own history with injuries and inconsistent form, it remains to be seen whether this will prove a wise investment or another gamble on an injury-prone player. Regardless of the outcome, this transfer saga adds another layer of intrigue to what has already been an exciting summer window for Manchester United fans.
