Soccer

Man Utd looking at second Premier League left-back in addition to Marc Cucurella

Marc Cucurella is not the only out-of-favour Premier League left-back Manchester United are considering swooping for to solve their injury crisis before the transfer window closes.

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The Red Devils have been dealt a massive blow with Luke Shaw expected to be sidelined for at least two months with a muscular injury, with the England international potentially not returning until November.

Shaw’s absence has been exacerbated by back-up left-back Tyrell Malacia’s continued injury woes, with the Dutchman yet to feature in a matchday squad this season due to an unspecified problem dating back to last season.

Manager Erik ten Hag was forced to field right-back Diogo Dalot at left-back against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, though the Portuguese had a difficult afternoon.

Ideally, Ten Hag wants to try and secure a short-term signing to cover for the absences of both Shaw and Malacia and United have made contact with Chelsea over a potential deal for Cucurella – who is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

But he is not the only option on their shortlist, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that countryman Sergio Reguilon is also being discussed.

The 26-year-old has not played for Tottenham in over a year and spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid, though injuries restricted him to just 11 appearances in La Liga.

He seems to have overcome his fitness issues and took a full part in pre-season with Spurs over the summer, though he does not appear to be part of Ange Postecoglou’s current thinking.

Youngster Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies have both been preferred and Reguilon has not made a matchday squad yet this season, though could be involved in the Carabao Cup against Fulham in midweek.

Spurs are keen to offload Reguilon and had been in talks with Real Sociedad over a loan, though that was scuppered when the Spanish side opted to move for Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney instead.

United are actually long-time admirers of Reguilon and tried to sign from Real Madrid three years ago but opted to bring in Alex Telles instead.

Although Spurs are happy to loan out the Spanish full-back, and he would jump at the chance to move to Old Trafford, it is understood that his salary demands could ultimately prove to be a stumbling block.

Asked about the possibility of bringing in a new left-back before the window closes, Ten Hag said: ‘It can be [that United sign a left-back]. I think we always have to anticipate on situations.

‘If there are opportunities then yes, but it has to be the right player otherwise we have to deal with the current squad. We went through the scenarios before the season and if it happened, we have the solution.’

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