Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed he is looking to sign a left-back before the January window closes following injuries to several players.
The Dutchman is currently without Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones for full-back options and his woes have been worsened following news Ashley Young will be out for the rest of the season with a ‘severe’ groin injury.
However, Van Gaal admits he could have difficulties luring a player to Old Trafford with less than two weeks remaining in the window with clubs unwilling to sell.
“I think when you see how unlucky we have been in full-back position. I have started with Valencia, Shaw, [Matteo] Darmian and Young, sometimes, and they are all injured – only Darmian is now back,” Van Gaal is quoted as saying by the United website.
“So, I need full-backs and you have seen how I have used youngster like Borthwick-Jackson and Varela who are doing great but the level of Manchester United is high.
“To give a high performance every week normally is very difficult for youngster, which is why we have to look always in this transfer period for replacements. The difficulty is that we ask for a level and the clubs do not want to sell in this period and that is our problem. We are looking, but it is not so easy.”
Only Spurs (18) have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season than United (20) but there have been signs their defence has been cracking in recent weeks, which will be concerning for Van Gaal.
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