Forget This £27m Defender – Here Are 3 Super Replacements Manchester United Should Consider To Sign

Promising left-back Luke Shaw’s Manchester United career seems to have hit a snag. The 21-year old has struggled to break into the playing XI under new manager Jose Mourinho this term, who is reportedly growing unhappy with the former Southampton youngster over the lack of progress in his development.

A double-fracture sustained during last season’s Champions League encounter had meant Shaw had to miss the entire season from then on and it has been believed that he has struggled to recover completely from that injury. That has meant Shaw has appeared only 13 times for the Red Devils across all competitions, with his last match coming against West Ham United in the EFL Cup, way back in November, where he was hauled off at half-time.

However, despite regaining full fitness now, Shaw has dropped behind Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind in the pecking order and Mourinho, reportedly, is looking to ship out the youngster. His agent was quick to quash those reports suggesting that the defender is happy at Old Trafford and will not be moving anywhere, but in the unlikely eventuality that Shaw is shown the doors at United, we look at three potential replacements, Jose can keep an eye on:

Aaron Cresswell

The 27-year old full-back has been very impressive in the English top-flight ever since his move to West Ham United from Ipswich Town in 2014. Having had an excellent debut season, Cresswell went on to win the ‘Hammer of the Year’ and the ‘West Ham Players’ Player of the Year’ awards at the end of the season.

He played a vital part in the Hammers’ excellent top-half finish last term and alongside Dimitri Payet, he was Slaven Bilic’s most important player. However, an injury sustained in preseason had kept him out till October this term, and the Englishman has notched up 15 appearances across all competitions since his return, missing only 2 matches since then.

A pacey customer out on the flanks, Cresswell is very effective going forward and can keep hitting accurate pinpoint crosses into the box constantly, while he also has the eye for a defence-splitting ball. A direct goal threat from set-pieces as well, the 27-year old backs himself and has the confidence to take a shot on from range. His positional awareness and reading of the game, combined with some solid defending make him an excellent option for United to consider.

Patrick van Aanholt

Arguably one of the best left-backs in the Premier League this season, Van Aanholt does not get the recognition he often deserves, mostly due to the struggles of his team, Sunderland.

The 26-year old former Chelsea man moved to the Stadium of Light ahead of the 2014-15 and has been the Black Cats’ top performer ever since with his energetic displays down the left-hand side of the defence. An ever-present in the starting line-up for David Moyes, Van Aanholt has made 25 appearances this term for Sunderland, scoring three goals and assisting one strike.

An excellent dribbler of the ball, the Dutchman loves to get forward and terrorize defences with his range of passing and trickery with the ball. A gifted set-piece taker, he also isn’t afraid to have a go at the goal from distance. Lacking in physical stature, Van Aanholt more than makes up for it with his pace and astute tackling. He might not be the big-name signings that are often the norm at Old Trafford, but with his energy and enterprise, Van Aanholt could prove to be a valuable addition.

Ricardo Rodriguez

Ricardo Rodriguez could prove to be that statement signing for Manchester United if they manage to get their hands on the Swiss international, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, along with the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Just 24-years old, the Wolfsburg man has shown great promise and has made 157 senior appearances for the German side and has also racked up 43 international appearances as well. This season, Rodriguez has taken the field 17 times for Wolfsburg, scoring twice and setting up a further 2 goals.

A modern day attacking left-back by nature, the Swiss loves to romp forward at every given chance and can send in crosses with surgical precision while he loves to take a shot at goal himself, with either foot. His abilities from the dead-ball situations are common knowledge and with his physicality and defensive nous, Rodriguez has become one of the finest left-backs in the business at this point of time and is someone who could be very well suited to the rigours of the Premier League.