Manchester United are exploring a move to sign a new left-winger in January to bolster Michael Carrick's squad, according to Pete O'Rourke.
The Red Devils have had a mixed campaign as they currently sit seventh in the Premier League, three points off the top four, but out of all the cup competitions already, meaning they will only play 40 games this season.
The club have also moved to sack Ruben Amorim as manager amid concerns over results and his behaviour off the pitch, but they are still expecting to qualify for the Champions League under new interim boss Carrick, and they are ready to back him in the transfer market to make it happen.
Man Utd Make Left-Winger January Priority
Michael Carrick
With Carrick replacing Amorim until the end of the season, a change of system is now expected too, with Man Utd likely to move from the 3-4-3 system the Portuguese boss was insistent on implementing.
Darren Fletcher switched to a 4-2-3-1 system during his two games in charge, and Carrick is expected to continue with a back four, meaning winger options are needed for the rest of the season. Currently Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu are the wide options in the first-team, but none of them have the left side as their preferred role.
Now it has emerged that the club has recognised that imbalance within the squad, and the recruitment team have made finding an option to fill that gap a priority during the January window.
O'Rourke reports that the club are exploring the loan market for a potential solution, and if they can find the right profile for the squad then they will make their move.
Man Utd Squad Planning is Shocking
Jason Wilcox
One of the main complaints from fans in the summer was that the squad was being ripped apart to fit a system under Amorim that wasn't performing well, and for a manager whose future wasn't secure.
That is now coming back to bite them, with a switch to a more traditional system expected, but the squad isn't ready for it, and what everyone saw as a possibility in the summer is now a reality.
The lack of options to play out wide is a worry, and while Cunha is more than good enough to be a short-term option, he's not at his best there. It's poor squad planning from the higher ups at the club, and now they're facing a situation where they need to recover to try and reach their goals with a stop-gap signing.
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