Manchester United still eyeing Barcelona's Balde as January window nears

Manchester United are still monitoring Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as the January transfer window approaches, with Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reporting the club as the only side currently showing concrete interest in the 22-year-old Spain international.

Balde was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford before the September 1 summer deadline, but Barcelona ultimately blocked his departure. That stance is now expected to soften in January, with Balde having barely featured for Hansi Flick’s side this season.

The left-back has managed just one appearance — a late substitute cameo against Racing Santander in La Liga in September — and has been an unused substitute on five further league occasions. He was also left out of Barcelona’s Champions League squad when they faced Feyenoord at the start of September.

United’s need for left-back cover has been well-documented. Tyrell Malacia departed on a free transfer in the summer, joining FC Cincinnati, leaving Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu as the only recognised options in that position for manager Michael Carrick. The situation has become more pressing after Dorgu picked up a suspected injury while on international duty with Denmark.

Shaw and Dorgu have shared left-back duties for United so far this season, but Dorgu’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the club’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this weekend. Carrick is expected to provide an update on his squad’s availability later in the week.

Whether United will move decisively for Balde when the window opens remains to be seen, but the combination of his limited role at Barcelona and United’s positional need keeps the link very much alive.