Manchester United are eyeing a left-back in the summer, keeping an eye on Arsenal’s Miles Lewis Skelly, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates.
Miles Lewis-Skelly has started just one Premier League game this season (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United have added Miles Lewis-Skelly to their shortlist ahead of their search for a left-back this summer, meaning Arsenal could have to make a decision.
The Red Devils have a number of areas they would like to address, and adding a full-back is one of them. Lewis-Skelly made a breakthrough last season, but his minutes and opportunities have been limited this season as he joined the club in the summer.
The 19-year-old only signed a new five-year contract in the summer but has not featured much since then, making just one Premier League start all season. A reduction in his playing time could cost him a spot in the World Cup.
Lewis-Skelly has been hailed as one of the Emirates’ most impressive academy graduates in recent seasons, but he needs time to continue his development and United may be looking to take advantage of his current situation. Sky Sports also understands that Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown are on the Old Trafford shortlist.
Arsenal themselves are looking to recruit in the summer, but will likely need to raise funds through player sales. If they were to let Lewis Skelly go, he would be a genuine benefit through their youth system.
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Mikel Arteta was recently asked about the situation and admitted that competition is keeping him away from the team. “Yeah (he’ll have a chance), and when he gets that chance, he’s got to take it. His attitude was great. He’s not playing any more because there are other guys who are playing as well. They’ve been phenomenal. That’s football. But we’re going to try to give him the minutes he deserves.”
The stars of Arsenal’s youth hierarchy have paid the price for the club’s recent reinforcements. Ethan Nwaneri was another player who featured regularly last season, but he will be loaned to Marseille in January in a bid to gain more exposure.
Miles Lewis-Skelly breaks Mikel Arteta’s hierarchy (Image: David Price, Arsenal FC, via Getty Images)
Luke Shaw has played as United’s left-back when he has been fit, but the 30-year-old has struggled to feature in the past. United’s potential move for Louis Skelly would create the rare predicament of Arsenal attracting transfer attention from their direct rivals.
Aiden Haven recently moved to Old Trafford from the Emirates, but he is far from on the same growth path as Lewis Skelly. A sale to a club like United, in particular, would not be viewed favorably by those in north London.
United’s ultimate priority this summer is to bring in central midfielders such as Elliott Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleva.
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