Manchester United have reportedly hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Alfonso Pedraza.
According to MARCA, Premier League giants Manchester United have been knocked back in their efforts to sign 27-year-old Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are in crisis management mode after the injuries sustained by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. This leaves Erik ten Hag with no senior left-back to choose from heading into the next few months of the 2023/24 campaign.
Diogo Dalot was used in the role on the weekend against Nottingham Forest but did not look entirely comfortable. He could be a ticking time bomb against better sides who can punish the Red Devils where it hurts the most.
It thus comes as no surprise that Manchester United are in the market for a solution as the summer transfer window winds down. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso and Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon are among those under consideration.
Embed from Getty Images
Pedraza is an interesting option and would not just have brought experience to the Manchester United backline but also leadership. The Villarreal star was seen as unsellable by the club who swiftly shot down the Premier League side’s pursuit.
Capable of playing anywhere along the left flank, Pedraza is a dynamic player who is capable of making a difference at either end of the pitch. A solid dribbler, Pedraza is a capable crosser who can deliver precise deliveries into the box.
The 27-year-old would have been a solid addition to the Red Devils’ roster, but it is not to be. It would appear that Manchester United have now closed in on Cucurella and are set to get the deal over the line.
Shaw’s injuries are a real issue that Manchester United will need to address sooner or later. Malacia is a good backup option but is not the best choice to take over for a sustained period in the first team should the situation demand.
It remains to be seen who Manchester United end up signing and whether it will eventually lead to a shake-up of the left-back roster at Old Trafford.
