With Patrice Evra’s future uncertain (though he recently said: “I will answer if somebody wants to talk about my contract because I think it ends after this year but then they have to talk with Manchester United and my agent. Me? I love this club so much.”), it’s only natural that David Moyes would start looking at potential replacements.
Even if Evra opts to stay at the club, I can’t help but feel that this is an area of the pitch that could use some freshening up.
Patrice Evra has been United’s first choice left back for a number of years now. He’s certainly no spring chicken. At 32-years-old, the French International’s pace may soon begin to dessert him. He may no longer be able to snap into tackles like he used to. All in all, he may no longer be such an effective unit.
Yes, he’s a club captain and a leader on and off the pitch, but that doesn’t change the fact that United need a spring cleaning. It’s not like Manchester United have started the season particularly well. It’s my feeling that all areas of the squad need to be assessed.
But who could Manchester United bring in to replace him?
There’s been a lot of talk about signing David Moyes’ ex-charge, Leighton Baines, but I can’t see much sense in agreeing terms for a player who will be 29-years-old in a couple of months time. Shouldn’t Manchester United be looking a little more long-term?
In this regard, Southampton’s ace left-back, Luke Shaw would be just the ticket. He may only be 18-years-old, but he’s already one of the best attacking left-backs in the country.
I still feel like he could use some more work on the defensive side of his game, but he gets up and down the flanks extremely quickly, can beat his man using trickery and whip in a wicked cross.
There’s a reason he’s been compared to Gareth Bale (who was himself a converted left-back).
Unfortunately, The Star quote a ‘Saints insider’ who suggest that a United deal could be difficult to engineer: “Luke’s a huge Chelsea fan and he’d be delighted to play for them. United’s interest is flattering but he knows he doesn’t have to rush anywhere just yet.”
I hope this doesn’t prove to be another case where David Moyes loses out on a player because he isn’t strong enough in the transfer market. Let’s hope he’s given the financial muscle he needs to seal the deal.
What’s your take? Could Manchester United tempted Luke Shaw to join them?
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