United are looking at multiple full-backs including Kerkez and Robinson in a deal worth over £42m
Manchester United have been dealing with a left-back dilemma for some time now, as Erik ten Hag has been aiding without Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia throughout the past season. The Dutch coach has been playing with a make-do left-back in the ongoing campaign as well, and at some point the officials at Carrington will need to address this issue.
Manchester Reds are reportedly keen on ensuring that this is resolved with an incoming in the winter window as they are subject to links with a move for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, per Give Me Sport.
United eyeing Bournemouth’s Kerkez to address left-back crisis
United are looking at multiple full-backs including Kerkez and Robinson.
Kerkez has been one of the most influential players in his position in the Premier League and has been subject to high reputations since his move to England in 2023. The Hungarian international made 33 appearances in all competitions in his full debut season at Vitality Stadium. He has been putting in impressive shifts in the left-back role with his current employers, and that has attracted interests from some of the biggest names in the country.
Kerkez has been eyeing a move to multiple clubs from the League’s traditional big six, including Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who explored possibilities to land the 20-year-old full back. Tottenham Hotspur is also considered a potential destination for Kerkez alongside Old Trafford.
United are looking for a long-term solution to the left-back crisis, and they have been looking at multiple players from the Premier League. Alongside Kerkez, Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson is also someone that peaks the club’s interest.
Kerkez’s style could mirror Luke Shaw’s
For Kerez, he would love an opportunity to move to an elite side in Ubited and have the potential to compete at the top of the table. And United does have the financial muscle to pull off a £42 million transfer to bring the Hungary defender to Old Trafford. That being said, we will have to see if the club decides to invest such an amount in Kerez, especially in the winter transfer window.
Kerkez is a lot like Luke Shaw in his abilities to drift forward and play along the flank while having the capacity to push back in the defensive zone when needed.
The question remains if the manager wants to move towards an inverted player or keep with a road-running full-back that can directly contribute offensively.
Would you take Milos Kerkez at Old Trafford this winter?
Marcus Rashford is attempting to recapture his form and some Manchester United fans are becoming frustrated with him.
United players during the Community Shield
United players during the Community Shield
Manchester United fans expressed their dismay at Erik ten Hag’s decision to keep Marcus Rashford on the pitch and substitute Alejandro Garnacho against Liverpool.
Garnacho was replaced by Amad in the second half and boos echoed around Old Trafford, with fans seemingly wanting Rashford to be substituted instead.
Rashford contributed just eight goals in all competitions last term and suffered a confidence crisis, which led to suggestions he might have to leave to breathe new life into his career.
The academy graduate will celebrate his 27th birthday in October and must produce better numbers this season, but Ten Hag has insisted he’s happy with his performances and the possibility of selling Rashford in the summer transfer window never gained any momentum.
Although Rashford is the poster boy of the club and is one of the highest earners in the squad, there is a conversation growing around whether it would be best for him to depart.
With that in mind, our writers have given their thoughts on Rashford, his current situation and what might come next for him after this season…
Tyrone Marshall
This season was always make-or-break for Rashford and that remains the case. On the contract he has signed he has to be one of the club’s most important players and if he isn’t he has to be sold this summer.
His season has started slowly but he isn’t alone on that front and the criticism he got against Liverpool was harsh. He was more productive than Garnacho and created two good chances for Joshua Zirkzee, at least one of which he should have scored. He frustrated fans when he turned away from a duel with Ibrahima Konate, but that was probably a wise decision given he didn’t have a lot of support.
He does have a fight on his hands to keep his place, however. Garnacho is now back in the starting XI and Amad has been impressive since the back end of last season. Three into two doesn’t go and Rashford could easily find himself on the bench.
If that happens then it will be down to Rashford to work his way back into the team. It’s only two seasons ago he got 30 goals in a campaign. That looks increasingly like a one-off, but 20 is an attainable target.
Steven Railston
I was in favour of keeping Rashford this summer. He has been the biggest academy success story for 20 years and something has gone massively wrong if he must leave to find his groove again.
Unfortunately, that outcome doesn’t look too far off and if Rashford doesn’t produce this season, then it will be the best option to cash in on him and reluctantly move on.
Rashford is unstoppable when he’s at his best and his finishing in 2022/23 was brilliant – he scored 30 goals – but his inconsistency has prevented him from being regarded as world-class.
After a majorly disappointing 12 months, it’s down to Rashford to get his career back on track and hopefully he can do that at United, but it will be time to part ways if he can’t.
Marcus Rashford
George Smith
It was not all that long ago that Rashford could do no wrong. He scored 30 goals in a single season for the first time in his career in 2022/23 and was rightly rewarded with a new long-term contract.
But after scoring just eight goals in all competitions last season, his future at Old Trafford is now a talking point. A lot of supporters have become frustrated with the academy graduate, highlighted by the booing that followed Ten Hag’s decision to withdraw Garnacho against Liverpool.
It is far too early into this season to make a concrete judgement on whether United should look to sell Rashford in 2025, but it is down to him to banish such talk. He needs to improve his performance levels and find a way of getting back among the goals on a consistent basis.
Turning 27 next month, he should be entering his prime years now, yet he is currently going backwards. As a result, United could have a decision to make on his future in the coming months. The club is in a transitional period and nobody is safe from Ineos’ ruthlessness.
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