Manchester United have ruled out signing David Alaba, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Alaba was released by Real Madrid at the end of last season and is currently a free agent. As a free agent, the 34-year-old defender can provide immediate reinforcement to teams in need of a centre-back or left-back.

However, the Red Devils, who are seeking a new left-back to compete with Luke Shaw, will not pursue the Austrian player.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United decided against recruiting Alaba because the club believes his form has declined.

During his time at Bayern Munich, Alaba was included in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was also named in La Liga's Team of the Season when he helped Real Madrid win the league title in the 2021/22 season.

However, Alaba has suffered from injuries in recent years, most notably an anterior cruciate ligament tear in December 2023. Over the past three seasons, Alaba's injury problems have been severe, causing him to miss a total of 109 matches for club and country.

These injuries ultimately limited the 34-year-old to a peripheral role at Real Madrid last season, where he made just 16 appearances across all competitions, with only 6 as a starter.

However, at the World Cup, he started all 4 of Austria's matches and captained the team until the round of 16, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

Beyond concerns about Alaba's declining fitness, the Red Devils are also exploring younger options at left-back. Lewis Hall of Newcastle United was once at the top of Manchester United's transfer wishlist, but Newcastle have made clear he will not be sold.

Alejandro Balde of Barcelona and Benjamin Henrichs of RB Leipzig are also being considered as alternatives. Although Manchester United want to recruit a new left-back, the club has not completed a signing in that position this summer.

This means Shaw must stay fit, especially with Manchester United's return to the Champions League. Last season, Shaw was a regular starter in all 38 of Manchester United's Premier League matches, but his injury history suggests this was more of an exception than the norm. Due to a series of different muscle injuries, the 31-year-old has played only 12 times for the Red Devils so far in the 2024/25 season and just 15 times the previous season.

So far this season, Shaw has started in all three of Manchester United's matches and even provided an assist in the team's 2-2 draw against Everton last Sunday.

Traduit par IA.

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