Manchester United Defensive Targets Agrees Pre-Contract Elsewhere

Manchester United have been dealt with a blow in their pursuit of Brescia left back Racine Coly as Serie A side AS Roma have a pre-contract agreement with the teenager and are firm favourites to sign him when the transfer window opens in January.

Manager Rudi Garcia wants to sign the 18-year old as a long term replacement for both Ashley Cole and  Federico Balzaretti who are in the wrong side of their 30’s and he could do so in January to add to the squad depth as Roma will be playing a lot of games come the second half of the season.

The move will definitely hurt Manchester United despite them signing Luke Shaw in the summer. The 19-year old had a slow start to his career at United but has put in some impressive performances in the last few games. United lack depth in the left back position as Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are the only players who can be deployed at that position. Rojo’s shoulder injury leaves them with only Shaw, which could be a problem if the former Southampton man picks up a knock.

United have found some defensive solidity in the last few games after having impressed defensively against Chelsea and Manchester City. They kept their 1st clean sheet after six games against Crystal Palace as their last shutout came against QPR way back in September. However, with a makeshift defence, they won’t be able to hold on forever as they’ll eventually be opened up now and then.

Van Gaal strengthened his attacking options in the summer but only added Shaw and Rojo in defence. He has been linked with the likes of Mats Hummels, Gerard Pique, Ron Vlaar and Dani Alves and will definitely strengthen come January as his defensive resources have been stretched to the limit  this season.