Since Luke Shaw has just suffered a setback, Manchester United is apparently open to bringing in a left-back in Marcos Alonso, a free agent.
Alonso may leave Barcelona at the end of June and join another team on a free transfer this summer. There are rumours that he may be given the opportunity to play in the Premier League again.

Senior Man United officials reportedly explored the potential of signing Alonso, who would be an affordable, experienced alternative, according to The Athletic.

Man United signed four players this summer: Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui on Tuesday, after Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro joined last month.

Although Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are both capable of playing left-back, it is rumored that the Red Devils are seriously contemplating recruiting a left-back specialist.

Alonso becomes a real target for Manchester United.

Due to a muscle issue, Shaw hasn’t appeared for Man United since the middle of February. However, he was able to play for England in the later rounds of the European Championship this summer.

The former Southampton player will have to spend additional time on the sidelines, though, as Man United announced on Tuesday that a calf issue will prevent him from playing until mid-September.

The Dutchman’s knee injury kept Tyrell Malacia out of the 2023–24 season, and it’s unknown when he will be able to play again, thus the Red Devils are once again severely lacking at left defense.

In the Community Shield match against Manchester City on Sunday, Lisandro Martinez began the game in that position. Dalot and Mazaraoui, as previously indicated, are both capable of playing there; Harry Amass, 17, is another possibility, but he has not yet made his professional debut for the 20-time English champions.

Would Man United benefit from signing Alonso?

Alonso played nine games in England’s top division when playing for Bolton Wanderers from 2010 to 2013, thus he is undoubtedly familiar with what it takes to be a player in the Premier League.

After joining Chelsea in 2016 from Fiorentina, the Spaniard played on loan for Sunderland in the Premier League for the 2013–14 season. He made 212 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, including 154 games in the top division of English football.

Before joining Barcelona on a free transfer in 2022, Alonso won the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League, and Europa League while playing at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old had a key role in Barcelona’s La Liga championship in 2022–2023 with 37 games, but he only made eight appearances in all competitions in the previous season.

Despite his lack of playing time the previous season, Alonso is still a valuable player at the highest level, thus the Red Devils made a wise move by bringing him in to provide backup at Old Trafford.