While Manchester United opted to focus on the attack this past summer, the defence will need to be looked at moving forward.
The left-sided centre-back position, in particular, will need addressing, given the poor injury record of both Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
The Argentine remains sidelined, and once back, there are murmurs that Ruben Amorim might opt to utilise him in midfield instead.
Jarrad Branthwaite was identified as a target, but Everton’s unrealistic valuation meant a move never materialised.
Left-footed centre-back needed
A low-cost alternative has now been identified, with TBR Football claiming the Red Devils have their eyes on Dynamo Kyiv’s defensive starlet Taras Mykhavko.
The 20-year-old played a key role for his club last season as Dynamo Kyiv won the league while the Ukraine U21 international was named the league’s Young Player of the Year.
United have been joined by Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Brentford, and Brighton in the race while RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have also watching him.
A move to the Premier League seems more likely, given the recent success of Ukrainian players in the English top-flight.
“TBR Football understands that a number of Premier League clubs are looking closely at Dynamo Kyiv’s defensive starlet Taras Mykhavko.
Taras Mykhavko on United’s radar
“The recent success of the likes of Illia Zabarnyi, Yehor Yarmolyuk, and Vitaliy Mykolenko within the Premier League following their arrivals directly from Ukraine – has seen many clubs take an increasing interest in that talent pool.
“And we can reveal that Mykhavko is one of the most scouted players in the last 12 months alongside his Dynamo team-mate Nazar Voloshyn.
“In terms of the clubs looking closely at his progress, sources have told TBR Football they include Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle, Brentford, and Brighton. RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are also among the clubs believed to be watching him.”
The left-footed defender has a market value of €6 million, and INEOS are always on the lookout for a diamond in the rough. And Taras Mykhavko certainly fits the bill.
Feature image Selim Sudheimer via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
