Luke Shaw
Manchester United are hoping that they may have turned a corner for their season after a huge comeback win over AS Roma in the Champions League in midweek.
The Red Devils snapped a nine-game winless run after coming from 2-0 down against the Serie A outfit at Old Trafford, winning 3-2 with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha (2).
It was yet another game where manager Michael Carrick was forced to name a makeshift defence, with Diogo Dalot covering for the injured Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu at left-back, and that is likely to continue on Sunday afternoon when the team hosts Unai Emery's Aston Villa in the final game before the international break.
The result is likely to be crucial to the future of the manager, with a negative result potentially meaning he will be sacked after being given a chance to turn things around following defeat to Bournemouth last month.
But regardless of who is in charge of the team, Man Utd have made the decision that they will attempt to be active in the January transfer window, with a new left-back considered to be among the priorities after a summer window that saw them miss out on top target Lewis Hall.
The England international has since signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle United, all but taking him off the table as an option for United, and the club's recruitment staff have been busy at work to look for alternatives.
Did it happen before or after?
Round 1 of 9
Now according to a report by TEAMtalk, the club have added Rennes star Mahamadou Nagida to their shortlist of targets after being thoroughly impressed by his performances in Ligue 1 this season.
The 21-year-old has been a regular, and is now widely considered to be one of the top prospects in France's top division, which has alerted Man Utd to the possibility of bringing him to Old Trafford as cover for Shaw and Dorgu, while also viewing him as a potential long-term option in the side.
United are understood to have watched him intensively during recent Europa League fixtures, and reports were extremely positive, with Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell reported to be fans.
Nagida Could Be Shaw Upgrade
Reuters/Stephane Mahe
It's clear that at least one new left-back needs to be brought into Old Trafford, and with Hall now out of the picture as a target, the club must be creative about who they bring in.
Someone with top-level experience would undoubtedly be the preferred first-choice target, but someone like Nagida has shown that he has a huge ceiling of potential, and he is already excelling in areas where a modern full-back should.
A Data Table Depicting L. Shaw vs A. Nagida Including Apps, Mins, Assists, Shots (per 90), Key Passes (per 90),
Stats show that the Cameroon international would be an upgrade on Shaw for the most part, and with plenty of room to continue to grown and improve, a deal to bring him in during the January window could be the perfect addition for the club.
That would give the team the chance to assess him properly and decide whether they believe him to be ready to push for a starting spot or if someone else is needed in the summer, while also tying down one of the most exciting prospects in Europe's top leagues.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick smiling
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick smiling