Manchester United are set to add a new left-back to the squad after a fee was agreed with Feyenoord for Tyrell Malacia.
Sky Sports reports Malacia to United is agreed and just waiting on the player to seal the deal.
Malacia will compete for a first team spot straight away as he aims to earn a role as United’s first choice left-back.
His arrival shakes up the position and could the Red Devils careers of a couple of players. We take a look at what Malacia to United means for the four left-backs already at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw: Luke Shaw is expected to stay and face competition for his place from Malacia. There is room for both, with the sheer number of games this season amid the Europa League schedule.
Shaw may be the default first choice, but he has also been at the club for eight years now. At the end of last season he had an operation complications from his injury in 2015 against PSV.
Still only 26, Shaw has seen off challengers for his place before, and this new competition will keep him under pressure.
Alex Telles: It is hard to see how Alex Telles will stay at Manchester United if Malacia signs. He is the most likely candidate to be sold.
Portuguese newspaper Correia da Manha reported earlier this summer that Porto are interested in re-signing Telles.
This is likely to be a tempting proposition for the player, and United could likely recoup most of the £13 million spent to sign him in 2020, offsetting much of the Malacia fee.
Brandon Williams: Brandon Williams is returning from loan determined to fight for place, but there does not appear to be a spot for him at Manchester United.
At best he may have to settle for staying as third choice, but we would expect Manchester United attempt to sell him to raise funds. One problem is whether Williams would be prepared to take a salary cut or if another club are willing to match his £40,000 per week wages.
Alvaro Fernandez: Alvaro Fernandez is a player who could stand out as one of the stars of pre-season and make a name for himself. So Tyrell Malacia’s arrival is not the best news for him.
There are two options for Fernandez, one is to stay put and hope to scrap for Europa League minutes as third choice, while another more likely possibility is that he is sent out on loan.
Fernandez needs to gain experience and there could be plenty of teams willing take him on loan. If he does head out on loan, it could give Williams temporary reprieve as cover.
It’s quite possible United keep him for the first part of the season where the schedule is very condensed, and then send him out on loan in January.
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