Premier League side Manchester United have opened talks with Corinthians’ defender Guilherme Arana.
According to Alessio Alaimo of Italian media outlet Tuttomercato, Manchester United are interested in signing Corinthians’ prized asset Guilherme Arana. The 19-year-old has been in fine nick for the Brazilian club and has reportedly opened talks with the thirteen time Premier League Champions.
Arana is a left-back by trade and could be a decent addition to the United squad that has seen a few struggles in that department of the pitch. Luke Shaw has been subject to some blunt public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho who does not seem to hold him in the same regard he did during his days as Chelsea boss.
Shaw made a needless error that saw Watford take the lead against Manchester United in September, and also called in sick on the morning of the Reds’ away game against Swansea City.
In adding Arana, Mourinho will certainly not get a finished product, but he will be a decent addition to the squad that looks to be lacking in depth in the left-back position. Matteo Darmian, who moved to Old Trafford last summer, is predominantly a right-back, but has had to play on the left side in the absence of the English defender.
Ashley Young, too, has often been deployed as a makeshift left-back, but has failed to make the position his own at the club. The English winger does provided the added guile down the flanks, but he lacks the temperament and the technical ability needed by a defender.
Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo have played as left-backs for their respective nations, and have stepped in that position when called upon by the manager. However, they are ideally central defenders and often find themselves out of position, which eventually leads to the side looking threadbare on the defensive end.
Arana is a pacey and adept left-back and could easily fit into Mourinho’s philosophy at Old Trafford. With the uncertainty regarding the futures of a number of defenders, it may not be the worst decision to invest in an up-and-coming defender. Furthermore, given Corinthians’ financial struggles, they may be tempted into letting go of their hot prospect should United come knocking at the door with an adequate sum of money.
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