Man Utd targets for January as Amorim makes a left-back a priority

Luke Shaw's latest injury means that Manchester United's target of a left-back in January has become a priority.

He has had a rough time dealing with recurrent injuries throughout his career and Ruben Amorim now needs a player that he can depend on with fullback's crucial in his 3-4-3 formation.

From a double leg break in 2015 to multiple muscle injuries, the 29-year-old player has lost a total of four and a half years due to these setbacks. Despite these challenges, he has persisted, describing this phase as his 'toughest period' yet.

A new transfer strategy appears to now be in place from Amorim following the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, with reinforcements needed despite potential budget constraints.

They have made a U-turn in the plans due to Shaw suffered an injury setback, effectively prompting the club to look for a replacement in the transfer market.

As the January transfer window approaches, it appears that signing a new left-back will be a priority for United. This has marked a shift in strategy under Amorim, who had been assessing the team's strengths and weaknesses since his appointment at the helm.

Among the potential targets, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez stands out, with his performances this season reportedly drawing the interest of United. They face competition from Liverpool who are also expressing interest in the 20-year-old.

United are expected to take decisive actions to secure their preferred left-back. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri is another name speculated to be on the Red Devils' radar.

The choice between a long-term investment or a more practical short-term one is also being weighed up. Both Kerkez and Ait-Nouri have been impressive with their performances this season, particularly with their ability to balance defence and attack on the field.

Away from the Premier League, two more players have made it to Amorim's shortlist. Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez and Alvaro Fernandez of Benfica are also being considered to add depth to the squad.

Since making his debut in 2012, Shaw has faced 75 periods of absence. With 61 due to injury and 14 because of illness, he has been unavailable for a total of 1,675 days, equating just over four and a half years. His hamstring has been a frequent site of these injuries with 13 recorded so far.

Shaw, who featured in 71% of Manchester United's Premier League games between the 2018-19 and 2022-2023 seasons, has seen a significant dip in appearances recently. Since the 2023-24 season start, he appeared in just 27.5% of United's league games.

According to Ben Dinnery from Premier Injuries, muscle injuries like Shaw's have a high recurrence rate in the first 30 days of returning to play. These challenges are compounded by the increased demands on players and the pressure to return from injury as soon as possible.

Shaw's decision to accept an England call-up for Euro 2024, despite not playing for over three months, may have further complicated his recovery and preparations.

Phil Jones shared insight into the mental and physical strain of battling with injuries throughout a career.

He talked about the need to reevaluate everything both personally and professionally, shedding light on the trials players like Shaw go through.