Alphonso Davies to Man Utd could spell bad news for four Erik ten Hag stars

The news that Manchester United are in pole position to sign Alphonso Davies this summer is likely to leave some current players anxious over their futures. Bayern Munich left-back Davies, widely considered one of the best in the world in his position, is out of contract in June and has declined offers to extend his deal.

The 23-year-old has also been linked with Real Madrid, but according to reports, it’s United who are the frontrunners to sign him.

Club officials are said to have been scouting the Canadian international for some time, and have now made contact with his representatives.

Should a move materialise, it would represent a major addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad, with Davies almost certain to be a regular in the starting XI. However, it could also spell trouble for four current players, with the Red Devils failing to convince defensively again this season.

Ten Hag’s two natural left-backs have both been plagued by injury during his tenure. England international Luke Shaw missed the final few months of the 2023/24 campaign with a hamstring injury, before making a return for action with his country in the latter stages of Euro 2024.

However, since returning home from Germany he has picked up a calf problem, and is yet to play this season. The pursuit of Davies appears a signal that Ten Hag and co have finally lost patience with Shaw’s fitness issues, and the 29-year-old will fear being exiled if United get their man.

Tyrrel Malacia was initially billed as the natural successor to Shaw when he arrived from Feyenoord in the summer of 2022. He duly made 39 club appearances in his maiden season in England, but underwent knee surgery that following summer and has now spent 16 months on the sidelines.

Like with Shaw, the long-term reliability of the 25-year-old is now in serious doubt. And he too could be surplus to requirements if Davies arrives and Shaw can indeed regain fitness, with the Dutchman likely to be considered third choice for the left side of defence.

Due to the injury problems in the squad, both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have had to adapt to an unfamiliar role. Dalot has spent the bulk of his career at right-back, but at least has been able to show his versatility to Ten Hag this season when deployed on the left.

But signing Davies would leave him needing to fight it out to play his usual role with Mazraoui. The Moroccan himself will also be wary that his own squad place could be compromised for similar reasons.

However, the former Ajax man could find himself spared by Ten Hag’s apparent willingness to also use him in an advanced role. Mazraoui surprisingly started in the ‘No.10’ position against Fenerbahce on Thursday, with his manager insisting he had utilised him there to good effect in Holland.