Meet the Englishman Man United want to replace Luke Shaw
Published:
Manchester United will attempt to prise Aaron Cresswell from West Ham when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to reports.
United’s left-back slot was locked down at the start of the season, with Luke Shaw putting in some spectacular displays to shake off Louis van Gaal’s fitness concerns and justify his £27m transfer fee.
However, after the 20-year-old suffered a broken leg in the Red Devils’ 2-1 Champions League defeat to PSV, the Dutchman is set to dip into the market in the New Year.
United went with Marcos Rojo at left back in the weekend’s 3-2 win over Southampton, but Van Gaal was not convinced with the Argentine’s performance and hooked him after 70 minutes.
That move saw Paddy McNair move into central defence and Daley Blind slot in at left back but it was clear for all to see that full back is now a serious issue for United on that side of the pitch.
At present United are being linked with two potential targets to fill the Shaw void with Heerenveen’s Jerry St.Juste one of the names on the shortlist.
The 18-year-old made his debut for the Eredivisie side only last year but has been an ever-present in De Superfriezen’s campaign so far this season and has recently been called up to the Holland U19 squad.
Van Gaal is well aware of the teenager’s progress but is fancied to instead test the waters for a proven Premier League performer in Cresswell.
The 25-year-old recently put pen to paper on a new five-year deal at Upton Park but in today’s climate that legal paperwork means nothing more than an inflated transfer fee.
The former Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town man picked up the West Ham United Players’ Player of the Year and Hammer of the Year trophies last season and has been tipped to potentially fill in for Shaw at international level.
Much will depend on the prognosis of Shaw’s recovery and the time frame the Old Trafford medical team put on his return.
If the former Saints man is ready sometime in the New Year then St.Juste could arrive as one for the future, but if he is out for the entire season as expected, West Ham can bank on a call from Ed Woodward before the glitter hits the dance floor on New Year’s Day.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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