This summer is going to be a key transfer window for Manchester United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the club needing wholesale changes to get back into the top four.
The Red Devils have been linked with a host of players, and the latest name is that of Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt, according to the Sun.
The report states that United could make a double swoop for the Crystal Palace duo of van Aanholt and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a combined fee of £50 million. Luke Shaw has been United’s first-choice left-back this season, and had a solid year, winning the Manchester United Player of the Year award.
While all eyes and speculation has been on another Crystal Palace full-back, 21-year-old Aaron Wan-Bissaka, van Aanholt has been a steady figure on the other side at left-back.
The Dutch full-back was a key member of the Crystal Palace team that finished 12th in the recently concluded Premier League, starting 36 of the 38 games in the season.
Van Aanholt came through the Chelsea academy, and after a few loan spells, made a permanent move to Sunderland in 2014, when the club were in the Premier League, and then moved to Palace in the 2017 January transfer window for £9 million.
Luke Shaw has had a brilliant season, possibly his best in a United shirt, and hence an upgrade in the left full-back position is not needed for Solskjaer now.
The other option that Manchester United have at left-back is Italian Matteo Darmian, who may see the exit door in the summer, with reports linking him to a switch to Juventus. That leaves the Red Devils short of a backup option at left-back if Luke Shaw is not available.
28-year-old van Aanholt is an experienced player who has played in the Premier League for five seasons, and would provide good cover for Shaw. A dependable defender, the Dutchman can also bomb forward when needed and put in good crosses into the box.
In the recently concluded season, the former Chelsea man scored thrice in the Premier League and registered two assists, while averaging 1.3 tackles per game in the league.
Van Aanholt can be a decent signing for Solskjaer as he will not cost a lot, which will give the Norwegian manager more funds to add more players in other key areas.
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