Manchester United have recently cooled their interest in signing a left-back in this transfer window but could make a move for Juventus full-back Alex Sandro in the summer. According to recent reports in the English media, the Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho has made a decision on his preferred target to take up the left-back role if Luke Shaw leaves at the end of the season with the Brazilian defender being lined up for a move in the summer. The 26-year-old has been linked with Chelsea this month but some sources are now claiming that United have no intentions of moving in for a left-back in this transfer window with Shaw’s resurgence of late and the incredible form of Ashley Young this season.
Sandro is under contract at Juventus until the summer of 2020 and has regularly featured for the Turin club in this campaign. The Brazilian international has played in 21 matches for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, starting in 13 of those matches this term. He has scored a goal and provided 5 assists in all competitions so far. The Red Devils have been linked with a number of left-backs for the past year which includes the likes of Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny Rose and Celtic youngster Kieran Tierney.
However, the Special One has identified Alex Sandro as an ideal option to take up that position if Shaw ends up leaving Old Trafford in the near future.
It was reported earlier this month that the Manchester outfit has decided to trigger Shaw’s one-year contract extension at Old Trafford which will keep him until the summer of 2019 and prevent him from departing on a free transfer at the end of the season. Hence, it looks highly likely that a move for Sandro, who played for four years in Mourinho’s former club FC Porto, won’t join them in this transfer period.
Manchester United are currently occupying second place in the Premier League table with a tally of 53 points at the end of Gameweek 24. They would potentially be up there challenging in the title race on any other season. However, with their crosstown rivals Manchester City cruising at the top of the Premier League table, the Red Devils find themselves 12 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side right now.
The addition of Sandro will undoubtedly boost their defensive options in the near future as they try to bridge the gap to Manchester City next season. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Juventus full-back and whether Manchester United are successful in acquiring his services.
