Manchester United’s season hasn’t been easy so far. Now that they have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, they have no chance of survival on the continent in the form of football in the Europa League. Getting into the Premier League’s top four is still the only realistic hope.

Although Erik ten Hag is not anticipated to be fired, the Dutchman is under a lot of pressure to improve, and Manchester United is anticipated to provide him all the assistance he needs in the transfer market. As a result, Sport claims that they are already planning a strategy for the summer transfer window of the next year and are considering David Alaba of Real Madrid.

Alaba is expected to be available for €60 million and has also attracted interested from Juventus and Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad. Manchester United can afford to pay his transfer sum, especially if Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover goes ahead by the end of this season.

Alaba is expected to lose his starting berth at Real Madrid once Eder Militao returns to fitness following his ACL injury. The Brazilian will then partner with Antonio Rudiger in the heart of defence, thereby relegating Alaba to the bench.

RED DEVIL ARMADA’S VERDICT

Alaba is said to be happy with life at Real Madrid. The former Bayern Munich defender is ready to fight competition from Militao and alternatively also play as a left-back – a position where Carlo Ancelotti may need cover given Ferland Mendy’s persistent injuries and Fran Garcia’s lack of defensive solidity.

Additionally, Manchester United require younger players and must not make the same mistakes that they have done in the recent past – of spending multimillion euros on ageing players. Will signings like this be vetoed under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

News also broke on Monday morning that Alaba has suffered an ACL injury and will be out indefinitely. Real Madrid plan to sign cover at centre-back in January, according to The Athletic which could pull the Austrian down the pecking order by the time he is back.