Manchester United star Antonio Valencia is set to leave Old Trafford in the summer after the club opted not to trigger his one-year contract extension earlier this month.
Valencia’s imminent exit at the end of the season will leave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with veteran Ashley Young and 19-year-old summer recruit Diogo Dalot. Ashley Young has played the majority of the season at right-back, with Diogo Dalot being his back-up. But with Young turning 34 in the summer, the Red Devils could be caught short at right-back.
To avoid the potential crisis at right-back, Solskjaer should make a move for Strasbourg ace Kenny Lala this summer.
Kenny Lala, 27, has enjoyed an outstanding season with Strasbourg in the Ligue 1. He has been electric down the right flank this season, managing four goals and eight assists in 25 league games. The Frenchman has bossed the right flank for Strasbourg and has suddenly become one of the hottest properties in Ligue 1.
The 27-year-old is a speedy, powerful, agile and technically-gifted full-back who is comfortable playing on both sides of the defence and in an advanced role on the right flank. Lala loves to make overlapping runs and terrorise defenders with his dribbling skills and movement.
Noted for his calmness and composure in possession, he is an excellent passer of the ball and can initiate attacks from the back. The former Lens man is no slouch when it comes to defending, often using his tackling and interception skills to halt his opponent from advancing.
Furthermore, the Frenchman is a goal-scoring defender which makes him an asset to have in the squad.
Solskjaer has managed to get Manchester United back in the race for a top-four finish and it would certainly be a fantastic achievement for the Red Devils if they manage to secure the fourth spot in the Premier League ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.
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However, the Reds need to invest heavily in the summer transfer window keeping their long-term goals in mind, and reinforcing the defence has to be Norwegian manager’s priority.
Solskjaer should offload the deadwood at the end of the season and pump in fresh blood to his squad. Given the current scenario at United, adding someone like Lala would definitely be a step in the right direction in strengthening the defensive options.