Manchester United to battle Arsenal for Hull ace
Published:
Manchester United and Arsenal will commence battle over the signing of Hull’s Andy Robertson when the transfer window re-opens.
Both sides were left wanting at the back at the Emirates over the weekend and while United ran out 2-1 winners in the capital it was clear to see that defensive reinforcement is high on the agendas of both Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal.
The Gunners and the Red Devils are both crying out for an experienced operator but a string of solid displays for both Hull and Scotland have seen 20-year-old Robertson emerge as a possible target.
Tigers boss Steve Bruce, who has become accustomed to losing in-form players throughout his managerial career, claims he has already received tentative enquiries from interested parties and believes it will not be long before the talented youngster moves on.
“There has already been one or two with phone calls asking ‘to keep me informed’. That’s always the first stage,” he told the Sunday People.
“I had it with Palacios when I was at Wigan and then Valencia when he went off to Manchester United. And if this kid keeps performing the way he is then it might become inevitable.”
Going into the weekend’s fixtures most observers would have claimed it was United, rather than Arsenal, who were in greater need of a defensive boost.
But with a makeshift back three of Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Chris Smalling limiting Arsenal to just one goal – and that a screamer from Olivier Giroud – Van Gaal could be persuaded to keep faith with his youngsters.
Arsenal though, were exposed at the back when looking for the equaliser, and while they have Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy to return Wenger will be keen to improve his back-up options after Nacho Monreal and Per Mertersacker’s displays.
United are now occupying a top four spot, and while they are two points closer to the bottom of the league than the top, Ladbrokes make the Old Trafford outfit a 1/3 shot to finish in the Champions League places.
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