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As the tension between Jose Mourinho and Luke Shaw grows greater than ever, the left-back's departure seems almost certain in the next transfer window. Mourinho has constantly criticised the English prospect, but with his recent comments on Shaw's mentality as well as his physical fitness, the relationship between the duo seems almost over.
The LB's departure from the "Theatre of Dreams" will leave a big void to be filled, a void which United can't fill just by throwing money into it because a fullback isn't the most glamorous position and hence will hardly offer any return to United financially.
Hence, his replacement has to be a very smart signing. Let's take a look at 5 possible replacements which will prove beneficial for the Red Devils:
#5 Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Contract Expiry: 30th June 2019 (1 Year Remaining)
TransferMarkt value: £16.20 Million
Possibility: 5/10
Aggressive, defensively solid, experienced and technically superb, these words not only describe a typical Jose Mourinho fullback but also Filipe Luis. In addition to his favourable traits, the Brazillian has also previously won a Premier League medal at Stamford Bridge with Mourinho and has been operating at the top level of European football for some time now.
A year or two ago he would've been the perfect candidate, but now his age surely possesses a risk. The veteran left back is currently out with a serious injury and his recovery will be a huge deciding factor in any possible transfers.
Despite his age, Filipe is still one of the best left-backs in the world and if he recovers from his injury successfully he can make an instant impact at Old Trafford, but his age and his devotion for the Madrid club might be a hurdle too big for Jose and the Red Devils to climb.
#4 Alejandro Grimaldo (Benfica)
Contract Expiry: 30th June 2021 (3 Years Remaining)
TransferMarkt value: £11.70 Million
Possibility: 7/10
The next option United can turn to is Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica. Just 22 years old, the Benfica left back will make the perfect replacement for Shaw if he moves out of Old Trafford in the summer.
The Spaniard was heavily linked with a move to Manchester during October of last year, but the rumours came to a halt after the relationship between Mourinho and Shaw seemed to improve.
But now after the recent distasteful comments, Jose made about the English fullback, United's interest in Grimaldo will surely be rejuvenated in the summer after (and if) Luke Shaw departs.
Despite their reputation and history, United would have to fight hard to land the Spanish fullback. They will have to go head-to-head with the likes of Napoli to land Grimaldo which could result in a massive price inflation, especially in today's absurd transfer market.
Some reports have also suggested that Grimaldo might have already agreed terms with Napoli in January and will complete the move in the summer transfer window, but nothing is official, so there is still hope for United to lure the 22-year-old to England.
#3 Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Contract Expiry: 30th June 2021 (3 Years Remaining)
TransferMarkt value: £27 Million
Possibility: 8/10
The next and probably the most popular option is Tottenham's Danny Rose. The 27-year-old is the top candidate for replacing Shaw when, or more appropriately if, he departs. The transfer seemed to be on the brink of completion during the summer but in the end, Rose ended up staying with Pochettino's side.
Rose has pace, aggression, defensive quality and also decent ability in the final third along with his experience in the Premier League which makes him the prime target for Mourinho.
The only hiccup, in this case, is Rose's fitness concerns as he has spent most of this season out of contention because of his slow recovery from a serious injury.
As a result, he has featured only 13 times this season in all competitions and severely lacks match fitness. Additionally, Spurs are surely not going to let him go for cheap, especially to one of their main "top-four" rivals.
#2 Aarón Caricol (Espanyol)
Contract Expiry: 30th June 2022 (4 Years Remaining)
TransferMarkt value: £13.50 Million
Possibility: 7/10
Another option United can turn to is Espanyol's Aaron Caricol. The 20-year-old is considered one of the best young players in La Liga and one of the best young left-back in the world.
Caricol in defensively brilliant and reads the game very well. He is also excellent at crossing and also often takes the set pieces at Espanyol.
Caricol has also previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford during November of last year and he even responded to the rumours saying he was flattered from the interest but wanted to focus on Espanyol until the season ends.
The fullback is also being courted by Manchester City, Everton, Barcelona and Real Madrid, so United are going to have to come up with something very special to land the next best Spanish left-back.
#1 Juan Bernat (Bayern)
Contract Expiry: 30th June 2019 (1 Year Remaining)
TransferMarkt value: £10.80 Million
Possibility: 6/10
The next and the number one option for Manchester United is the outcast fullback of Bayern Munich, Juan Bernat.
The left-back who was once considered one of the best young prospects in the world has now somewhat fallen out favour at Bayern under Heynckes due to a combination of injuries as well as Bayern obviously preferring Alaba, who is one of the best left-backs in world football.
As a result, the Spaniard has only featured seven times in the entirety of this season so far.
There is no doubt that Bernat will be looking for a move away from the Allianz Arena in the summer and the fact that he has just a year left on his contract means United can swoop in and pick him up on the cheap.
He is not only one of the best options for the Red Devils on the financial side of things, but also an experienced and world-class footballer on the pitch, and if United can lure him to Old Trafford in the summer, it would undoubtedly be one of the best pieces of business in the transfer window.
