Manchester United’s pursuit of defenders this summer has been equal parts puzzling and welcome. The signing of FC Porto’s Diogo Dalot, though surprising due to the Portuguese’s youngster’s lack of profile was accepted as a good purchase, and the 19-year old is expected to provide competition for Antonio Valencia at right back. Yet reports have surfaced during the summer that United are also prioritising a centre back to go with the five senior central defenders that they already have in their current squad, which seems to fly in the face of reason in spectacular fashion.
http://gty.im/629134510
Dalot’s signature also seems to have changed Mourinho’s thinking in a number of ways, with the Portuguese reportedly now happy with his options at both left and right back as a result of signing the former Porto defender. This means that United’s options on the left of defence will likely still be Ashley Young and Luke Shaw going into the new season, and it’s also had an knock-on effect on another player who was hoping to move to Old Trafford.
Speculation on United making a move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny Rose has been rumbling on for some time, and with Mourinho’s issues with Shaw well documented and frequently made clear, signing Rose seemed to make sense. The Portuguese has now apparently pulled the plug on a move for the England international, however, according to a report in The Mirror. Rose may be forced to move abroad to seal first team football having lost his position to Wales’ Ben Davies, and United will go into the next season with the same left back options as they entered the last one. Whether that will prove to be a wise decision given Shaw’s frequently reported issues regarding his application, fitness and effort alongside Young’s age remains to be seen.
