United ready to go head-to-head with Liverpool over PL ace who Klopp has ’recommended’ they sign

Manchester United have reportedly begun shortlisting left-back options ahead of the summer window, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the owners will be targeting a young talent to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options.

The board have been forced to consider new options on the left side of defence due to this season’s debilitating injury crisis, which has left the likes of Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat deputising for sidelined duo Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Malacia has been unavailable for selection for the entirety of the 2023/2024 campaign thus far, and it’s believed that he could reach the end of the term without making a single appearance.

He sustained a knee injury against Fulham during last season’s final Premier League match and has required two surgeries to try and correct the problem, having suffered a setback in his rehabilitation during the winter.

On the other hand, fans are well aware that injuries have plagued Luke Shaw’s United career, and he’s perhaps been one of the unluckiest players when it comes to maintaining fitness over a prolonged period. The 28-year-old has missed 24 matches through numerous separate issues since August, putting his hopes of making England’s Euros squad in massive jeopardy. 

As per TeamTalk, United are keeping tabs on Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was heavily linked with Liverpool in the January window. It remains to be seen if the Merseyside outfit will reignite their pursuit in the coming months, as the report claims that Jurgen Klopp has ‘recommended’ the player be signed, despite the fact that his tenure is drawing to a close.