Mourinho prioritises ‘top-class’ left-back signing
Date published: Friday 31st March 2017 2:45
Jose Mourinho has made signing a ‘top-class starting left-back’ one of his transfer priorities at Manchester United this summer.
The Portuguese spent more than £140million during his first transfer window as manager at Old Trafford, including the world-record fee spent on Paul Pogba.
He is expected to oversee a similar expenditure at the end of the season in order to strengthen for a potential Premier League title challenge.
According to chief lickspittle Duncan Castles, the manager is looking to solve a problem position at left-back.
Five players have started at least one Premier League game on the left side of United’s defence, ranging from Daley Blind (10) and Matteo Darmian (8) to Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo, who have started one game each.
Luke Shaw has started seven games and was expected to flourish under Mourinho after returning from a double leg fracture in September 2015, but the England international’s future at the club looks increasingly in doubt.
It is Mourinho’s ‘disappointment’ in Shaw – a Louis van Gaal signing – which is the driving force behind his left-back search, writes Castles. Shaw’s ‘mental attitude’ and performances have left the manager frustrated.
Castles adds that the Portuguese wants ‘a physically powerful, quick and aggressive attacking full back’ in order to mirror Antonio Valencia on the right flank. Benjamin Mendy of Monaco has been touted as a target.
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