Man Utd in talks for “one of the best LWs in Europe”

There was a time in which Manchester United were inundated with options on the left flank, although heading into this summer, that department appears an area for Michael Carrick and co to address as a matter of urgency.

Last summer, the ruthless Ruben Amorim oversaw the exits of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, none of whom seemingly appeared suited to the Portuguese’s 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Having shifted back to a more orthodox system under Carrick, the lack of left-wing options is now a pressing issue, with it still yet to be seen whether Patrick Dorgu’s future lies at left-back or not, while Matheus Cunha isn’t a genuine winger by trade.

With Bruno Fernandes still the go-to man in Cunha’s preferred number ten role, the Brazilian has found a home out on the flanks instead, although that regular starting role could be under threat if a key signing is made this summer.

Man Utd open talks to sign £87m-rated left-wing sensation

The priority, first and foremost, may well be to ensure that a sale is secured for the aforementioned Rashford, the Englishman’s hopes of joining Barcelona on a permanent deal having been hit by Anthony Gordon’s surprise Camp Nou switch.

There have been whispers that the 28-year-old academy graduate could be reintegrated now that Carrick is at the helm on a permanent basis, although after an 18-month exile out on loan, that appears an unlikely prospect.

Rashford, prior to being cast aside by Amorim in late 2024, had long been United’s main man off the left, with there still something of a ‘void’ there to be filled this summer.

Well, as reported by TEAMtalk, INEOS could be making early moves in their search to finally replace him, with the report outlining that the Red Devils are among the clubs to have ‘held discussions’ regarding a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.

As per the report, both Arsenal and Liverpool are at the front of the queue, with Chelsea and Manchester City also engaging in talks of their own, amid the 23-year-old’s desire to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.

The Frenchman – reportedly valued at around £87m – is said to be keen on a fresh challenge amid frustrations with his reduced starting role under Luis Enrique, with his representatives actively working on an escape plan.

Why Barcola signing could spell bad news for Cunha

As noted above, Cunha isn’t a natural winger by trade, although he did still at least enjoy a promising first season at Old Trafford, scoring ten league goals in all following his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

An astute goalscorer but also a scorer of some great goals, not least his stunning winner away at the Emirates in the 3-2 victory over Arsenal back in January.

The early signs are positive, although there is still that nagging issue over whether he is the long-term solution off the left, having so often drifted inside to leave United starved of width under Carrick.

Equally too, his tally of just two top-flight assists didn’t exactly make for pretty reading, with one of those actually coming from the right as he teed up Dorgu in the Manchester derby.

Barcola, as arguably “one of the best left-wingers in Europe” in the view of analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, could then represent a real threat, with the France international having sparkled in recent seasons in Paris.

While the fourth man behind a scintillating attacking trio, Barcola’s talent has been evident when he has featured, memorably bursting clear on a handful of occasions off the bench in last month’s Champions League final.

His combination of lightning speed and silky dribbling prowess really does make the former Lyon starlet so difficult to contain, having also gone on a mazy, albeit fruitless, run in last year’s European showpiece against Inter.

Even amid a difficult campaign personally, Barcola still outscored Cunha with 11 league goals for the French champions, having previously reached double figures for both goals and assists in 2024/25 in Ligue 1.

He did only contribute one assist in 2025/26, although that came despite creating 11 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.3 key passes per game, highlighting just what a creative outlet he actually is from the flanks.

In Cunha’s case, by contrast, the 27-year-old only created four ‘big chances’ and averaged only 1.1 key passes per game, with much of his best work coming courtesy of individual moments of magic, rather than necessarily when supplying the goods to his teammates.

That’s not to say the £62.5m arrival won’t still be a key figure next season in Manchester, but bringing Barcola into the fold could certainly spell bad news for his hopes of remaining a consistent starter moving forward.

Cunha appeared perfect for one of the two number ten roles in Amorim’s system, yet the question remains as to where his future really does lie under the Carrick regime.