Man Utd identify second transfer alternative to ‘difficult’ Alphonso Davies deal

Manchester United are eyeing AC Milan's Theo Hernandez as an alternative to Alphonso Davies, it has been claimed.

It is believed that United are looking for a player who can play as a left wing-back in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Right-back Diogo Dalot started there against Ipswich on Sunday, while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia – the club's two recognized senior left-backs – have struggled with injury problems since the start of last season.

Bayern Munich left back Davies appears to have the qualities to play as a left back and his contract expires next summer. However, with Real Madrid equally interested in the Canadian international, United may be forced to look elsewhere.

Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes is an option, with the Portugal international previously playing under Amorim in his home country. However, if they opt for a more experienced head, Hernandez could be the man.

According to Sky Deutschland, Hernandez is being 'closely watched' by United. The same outlet suggests that Davies remains the top target, although United would find the Bayern man difficult to land.

The 27-year-old Hernandez came to Milan from Real Madrid in 2019. His current contract runs until the summer of 2026, and the Rossoneri could yet decide to cash in rather than risk seeing the Frenchman out of contract.

The defender was a reliable presence at Milan under a series of managers, making more than 200 appearances during his five full seasons in Italy. He also has 36 senior caps for France and scored his second goal for Les Bleus in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against Morocco.

United started the Amorim era with a draw against Ipswich, with the new head coach admitting rotation will be crucial. “We have to find a way,” he told reporters after the trip to Portman Road.

“I think the only way to do this is that we have matches and the boys who are not playing get training. Everyone is going to play and everyone is going to sit on the bench, so they have the feeling of the match, but they have to training.

“With this schedule we have to rotate the team, so we will try to use that to train, to improve the team between games. Without time we have to find the time and this is the only way. Some guys are going to do that play and some guys will work on our idea in the coming days and then they will change the positions.”

In Amorim's first home game, United welcome Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt to Old Trafford in the Europa League. Kjetil Knutsen's men have seven points to United's six after four games, but lost at home to Qarabag in their most recent European match.