Man Utd make contact with Chelsea over shock move for defender

Manchester United have made contact with Chelsea over the possibility of signing Marc Cucurella on loan, according to reports.

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This shock moves comes after United lost their two left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia to injury.

Malacia is expected back next month, but there is no return date for England star Shaw – a huge blow for Erik ten Hag.

Against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Diogo Dalot filled in at left-back but reinforcements – even on a short-term basis – are desperately needed in that position.

There had been rumours that the Red Devils are looking at signing former Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand who has been a free agent since leaving Leicester over the summer.

But Fabrizio Romano has now reported that United have opened talks to bring Cucurella in as an emergency loan.

They have asked Chelsea about what the conditions would be to sign the Spain international but the move is in its early days and as such there has been ‘no bid or concrete talks yet’.

It is also claimed taht there are three candidates on Ten Hag’s shortlist with the club looking for an inexpensive solution.

After a brilliant, single season at Brighton, Cucurella signed for Chelsea last summer for £62million but has since endured a nightmare at Stamford Bridge and the club have been pretty keen to get rid of him this transfer window.

However, despite interest from clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia, as well as Newcastle, the 25-year-old is determined to fight for his place at the Blues, though he remains firmly behind Ben Chilwell in the pecking order.

He’s been left on the bench for the first three games of the season, and while Chelsea have lost Lewis Hall to the Magpies, young Ian Maatsen now appears to be Mauricio Pochettino’s second choice at left-back.

But the Blues would probably prefer a permanent sale rather than a loan move for the outcast player, and it remains ti be seen whether they’d be willing to let him join a major rival.

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