Manchester United eye two Chelsea defenders as left-back loan move edges closer

Manchester United are weighing a loan move for a left-back in the final days of the summer transfer window, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano suggesting the club may settle for a reliable, experienced option rather than a marquee signing. Manager Michael Carrick is also reportedly targeting additional centre-back depth, with Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong both said to be on United’s radar.

United have already committed around £150 million to midfield reinforcements this summer, bringing in Andrey Santos from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Carlos Baleba from Brighton. But the left-back position has proved a persistent headache, with Luke Shaw entering the final year of his contract and Patrick Dorgu viewed primarily as a winger by Carrick rather than a natural full-back.

Romano drew a comparison to United’s 2023 temporary signing of Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham when outlining what the club might pursue. “I will not be surprised if they end up with a solution for a player who can be almost a guarantee,” he said. “Just as a comparison, you remember when United signed Sergio Reguilon? Something similar. That kind of player, an experienced left-back who can provide competition and also an international profile.”

On the centre-back front, talkSPORT reports that United have been offered the chance to sign Adarabioyo, the 28-year-old who came through Manchester City’s academy before joining Chelsea. The defender appears increasingly surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge — he was absent from Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham and his No. 4 shirt has since been handed to new arrival Valentin Barco. Acheampong, Chelsea’s highly-rated young right-back who can also operate on the left, is also said to interest United.

Carrick’s need for defensive reinforcement has grown more pressing in recent weeks, with the club already carrying Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro as their senior centre-back options. Any further injuries in that department would leave United stretched heading into a demanding season.