Luke Shaw admits to doing his best to tap up Manchester United targets
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has admitted to trying his best to tap up some of the club targets while on England international duty.
United are in the race for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, although Arsenal are the frontrunners to get him. The Red Devils had a long-standing interest in England captain Harry Kane, but have withdrawn because of the potential cost involved.
Shaw has been a consistent starter in the England XI for some time now. It won’t be an overstatement to say that he might have a good relationship with players in the Three Lions squad.
Here’s what the United star said regarding tapping up targets in view of banter (h/t Manchester Evening News):
“There’s a few (players he is tapping up). It’s all a bit of banter really, we have a joke and a laugh about it. I am not too sure what goes on behind the scenes, because it is to do with the club. But of course when we’re here and together we have a joke about it.”
As Shaw rightly said, he cannot influence a player’s future through his talks. But, if he shares how good the atmosphere of the United dressing room is and how Erik ten Hag works as a manager, it could sway the thinking to an extent.
The Red Devils could do with additions in key departments such as the centre-forward and goalkeeper. After withdrawing interest in Kane, they are keeping an eye on Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
At the back, ten Hag wants a new goalkeeper as David de Gea was underwhelming in his first season in charge of the team. Andre Onana of Inter Milan is linked. It might be easier to get him after Chelsea pulled out of the race.
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What else can they do? Add proper depth in the central midfield. The hope is that the second bid for Mason Mount would be accepted by Chelsea. If that is done along with the other two additions mentioned above, United would be in decent shape to have a good season and take the next step under ten Hag.