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The shortlist of right backs of interest to Manchester United this summer is turning into a long list and is also becoming inextricably linked with another club’s own search to strengthen in the position.
After Diogo Dalot’s Player’s Player of the Year performance last term and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as backup, right back looked to be a fairly low priority for the Red Devils this summer and all eyes were on the opposite flank, where long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia left question marks over the level of cover available.
Players such as Milos Kerkez, Sergio Reguilon, Ferdi Kadioglu and Marcos Alonso were being heavily tipped in the press to be closing in on a deal to come to Old Trafford, but in the last couple of weeks, those rumours have died down and been replaced by a raft of right back names.
Vanderson, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong, Noussair Mazraoui, Tyrick Mitchell, David Hancko and Lutsharel Geertruida have all been linked.
This seems to have come about in part, at least, because Wan-Bissaka is rumoured to be unsettled at the club and seeking a move.
That in itself is a complicated story because early rumours suggested he was homesick and wanting a return to London, whereas more recent reports claim he has rejected an approach from West Ham because his heart is set on Inter Milan.
His potential departure led to Mazraoui rejecting the Hammers himself as he is holding out for a move to United.
And according to HITC, the Irons have also failed in their endeavours to sign yet another right back, Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams.
According to the outlet, “The 23-year-old Welsh international was seen as a ideal fit for Lopetegui’s system and it is understood a ‘player plus cash’ offer was made, but Forest dismissed the offer with the insistence that they are not looking to let Williams leave this summer.”
Curiously, the same report mentions that “there is also rival interest in the Premier League aside from West Ham with Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham amongst the teams keep tabs on his situation.”
HITC also claims that “Williams’s ability to play both right and left is believed to be a major appeal,” and for United, this would certainly seem to make a lot of sense.
Of course, Dalot can also cover at left back but having two reversible full backs would certainly give manager Erik ten Hag double cover in both positions.
While signing Williams would hardly be considered as glamorous an acquisition as his (almost) namesake, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, it could be an astute move, if United can land him for anything like his market value of £14 million.
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