As defensive struggles persist under Michael Carrick, the Red Devils have identified Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert as the long-term successor to Luke Shaw following Lewis Hall’s contract extension.
Manchester United's summer transfer window was certainly a letdown for many fans, largely because of the high level of optimism surrounding the club before the window even began. Many journalists claimed the Red Devils would be one of the window's biggest spenders, but this turned out not to be the case.
The signings of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have certainly bolstered Michael Carrick's options in the middle of the park, but have come at the cost of bringing in players to improve other areas of the pitch.
It has undoubtedly been a lacklustre start to the season for United, having only picked up four points in three favourable opening fixtures, and some blame has been targeted towards the higher-ups at the club not fully backing the manager in the transfer window that has just passed.
Defensively, Carrick's men have not been good enough, conceding six goals so far this season, leading many to believe this is where the club must invest next.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have both served the club well, but they appear to be in the final stages of their careers at Old Trafford, and planning replacements for both will be beneficial moving forward.
Ornstein reveals Truffert to be a potential United target
United's higher-ups are reportedly already looking for Shaw's successor, and may have found the perfect player to become the club's future starting left-back after he has been branded the "best in the country" in his position.
Lewis Hall has been the player heavily linked with a move to Manchester over the past year, but with the former Chelsea Academy graduate putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract up north, United may move on to other targets.
According to David Ornstein, 24-year-old Adrien Truffet is the player who has caught the eye of United's scouts, and it is possible that Bournemouth would be open to selling the Frenchman in the future.
Speaking on The Athletic podcast, Ornstein revealed: “Not many clubs recruited in that left-back position, which means there’s going to be a need on the horizon.
“Truffert has a really good age profile (he’s 25 in November). He’s the sort of player that you could see moving.
“Manchester United were one team that we talked about with left-backs over the window, and there will be more. It is going to be an interesting one.
“I’m hearing a value of around £60m and that there’s potentially a deal to be done next summer. I could see him being capable of playing for one of the biggest clubs.”
Truffet could be ideal Shaw replacement
Truffert suits INEOS' transfer strategy perfectly, already having Premier League experience at 24, as well as being a key player in the Cherries successful 25/26 campaign, it seems the full-back ticks all the boxes in terms of potential and experience the higher-ups at Old Trafford are looking for.
On the pitch, the French international stands out for his relentless stamina up and down the left-hand side, whilst also able to be solid defensively, rarely making any huge errors leading to goals.
Where the left-back stands out as an ideal Shaw replacement is in his injury record, having not picked up any major injuries throughout his career, and remaining available for every club he has played for throughout the majority of the time he played for them.
The only factor that could put off United would be that it seems likely a deal won't be completed until the beginning of the next summer transfer window, and if the defensive frailties in the side continue through to January, a replacement may be needed more urgently and Truffert may get pushed to the side.
