Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Manchester United went into the international break 18th in the Premier League, with one league win all season and an eight-match winless run that Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa did not end. Michael Carrick’s side twice came back from two goals down at Old Trafford, yet Villa still led 2-0 inside four minutes and 4-2 early in the second half.
Last Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Roma showed similar resolve, but United have conceded at least two goals in each of their last three league matches, losing 3-0 to Bournemouth and 2-0 to Chelsea before the Villa game. The hierarchy should be discussing Carrick’s future despite the comebacks.
The left side has caused particular problems. Luke Shaw, 31, has missed seven games this season after starting all 38 last term, his contract expires in June 2027, and the Daily Mail reported in September that no new deal was close and that he could leave for nothing next summer.
Shaw is the only specialist left-back in the squad, so Carrick has covered with centre-back Ayden Heaven and right-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, because United spent their summer on midfielders and Newcastle kept Lewis Hall.
A possible solution has now resurfaced. CaughtOffside, citing TuttoJuve, reports that United like Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso as a long-term successor to Shaw. The 26-year-old Italy international can play left-back or wing-back on either flank, and the report credits him with eight goals and 19 assists in 142 Juventus appearances.
Andrea represents Italy unlike his father Esteban Cambiaso who played as a midfielder for his native Argentina and was a big part of top teams at Inter Milan where he made his name but also Real Madrid.
Who else is looking at the Juventus player?
🚨#Juventus Andrea Cambiaso is viewed as one of Manchester United’s most experienced options for the left-back position. 🔴 The Premier League club are monitoring the Juventus defender closely. 🇪🇸 However, United are not alone in the race, with Barcelona also showing interest in the Italian international. ⏳ Competition for Cambiaso’s signature could intensify as both European giants assess their defensive plans.
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur)
Signing Andrea Cambiaso looks awkward, though, as he is tied to Turin until 2029. 442 suggested a January offer of €30m to €40m (roughly £26m to £35m) could tempt Juventus but a number of other clubs are in the picture including Liverpool and Barcelona to name two.
Liverpool are looking to add depth to their left back options with Andy Robertson gone (now at Spurs) and Milos Kerkez the main option they want to add depth so United face a battle from their fierce rivals.
What Cambiaso brings and what he lacks
His left foot and appetite for attacking explain the appeal. FotMob’s 2025/26 Serie A data places him in the 91st percentile among full-backs for chances created and the 89th for goals.
The same figures rank him only in the fifth percentile for aerial duels and the fourth for defensive contributions, and he has started just twice in Serie A this season.
Is Cambiaso the left-back Manchester United need?
Yes, but only as a summer signing. United need a specialist on that flank, and Cambiaso offers Carrick width and delivery. A January fee of up to £35m looks steep for a player short of minutes who offers little defensively.
Luke Shaw’s deal expires in June, which gives United six months to learn which division they are recruiting for before spending that money.