Manchester United’s need for a left wing-back is pretty apparent owing to the poor injury records of both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
While the Englishman missed over 30 games last term, the Dutch star was sidelined for the whole campaign and only recently returned to full training including playing in an U21 game.
With the duo still sidelined, the Old Trafford side had lined up with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui alternating in that position while centre-back Lisandro Martinez had also been tried there by the former manager.
With Erik ten Hag no longer at the helm, a tactical change is on the cards with Ruben Amorim preferring to play three at the back while utilising wing-backs instead of full-backs.
Mendes, a wing-back target
As seen during training, the Portuguese feels Shaw is best suited as the left-sided centre-back, a role he had excelled in during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign.
And the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss will have to be careful with Malacia’s minutes so as to avoid further complications. That is why The Peoples Person relayed that the Red Devils are eyeing Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes.
The Portuguese star’s contract in Paris is valid until 2026, and Amorim had directed INEOS to try and land his former Sporting protege.
🔴🔵 Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on the agreement with Nuno Mendes over new deal!
Final details being sorted as the new contract will be valid until June 2029, part of Luis Campos plans as PSG trust Nuno for the future.
Hakimi and Nuno, both extending. pic.twitter.com/FOtxbZz39B
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2024
However, the Parisian giants have no wish of relinquishing the 22-year-old and as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, PSG have offered the left wing-back a new deal and a positive conclusion is expected soon.
His new deal is likely to be valid until 2029, which would likely bring to an end United’s pursuit of the Portugal international.
“Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on the agreement with Nuno Mendes over new deal!,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
PSG close to agreeing new deal
“Final details being sorted as the new contract will be valid until June 2029, part of Luis Campos plans as PSG trust Nuno for the future. Hakimi and Nuno, both extending.”
This will not be the best of news for Amorim though the 20-time English league champions have other targets in mind including Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
However, both of those deals are also complicated and INEOS will hope that Amorim can either get Malacia and Shaw to fire or hopefully, promote Harry Amass into the senior squad.
United are expected to strengthen in that area in January with former academy graduate Alvaro Fernandez a candidate as well with the club having the option of triggering their buyback clause.
Feature image Julian Finney via Getty Images
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
