Man Utd Transfers: 5 Left-Back Alternatives To Leighton Baines

was linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams and rumours suggesting he could swap Merseyside for Manchester have only intensified following David Moyes' appointment as United manager. Moyes brought the defender to Goodison Park from Wigan Athletic six years ago and now he wants to sign him again, but has already seen a £12 million bid that would reunite him with the England international at Old Trafford rejected. With veteran Patrice Evra, 32, now in the twilight of his career, and uncertainties surrounding rookies Alexander Buttner and Fabio, who has just returned from a difficult loan spell at QPR, it is a new left-back United need this summer. United's defensive record last season was the worst in 11 years. In the first 19 games of the 2012-13 Premier League season, United conceded 28 goals, which works at an average of 1.47 per match. The last time they had a worse defensive record was in 2001 when Arsenal won the title and Liverpool finished in second place, just to give you an impression of how long ago that was. Clearly a new left-back to replace the aging Evra to help plug those leaks is needed, regardless of whether or not United can land Baines. The Frenchman is apparently Monaco-bound and a replacement would need to be sought anyway in that eventuality, and if the acquisition of Baines proves impossible, here, we look at 5 possible alternatives. Click "next" below to begin...

Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.