Manchester United signed Luke Shaw in 2014 as one of the brightest young defenders in Europe. However, his career changed dramatically after suffering a horrific double leg fracture in 2015.
The injury kept him sidelined for 289 days and almost ended his career completely. Since then, Shaw has struggled through repeated fitness setbacks.
Hamstring and calf problems regularly disrupted his progress, while his overall injury record has become a growing concern inside the club.
Over the past decade, Shaw has missed more than 250 matches for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, the defender has suffered over 60 separate injury absences and spent more than four and a half years unavailable.
Therefore, Manchester United have aggressively explored the market for another left-back capable of handling the demands of the Premier League consistently.
That search has now led the club towards Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
According to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness, Manchester United and Manchester City have joined Barcelona in the race to sign the Spain international this summer.
Cucurella recently informed Chelsea that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge following frustration over the club’s transfer strategy.
The left-back joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2022 in a £63M deal, but his future now appears uncertain.
The report claims Manchester United have monitored Cucurella closely in recent months. Chelsea are also believed to be open to selling the defender for between €40M and €50M.
Barcelona remain interested because Cucurella previously developed through La Masia. However, the Spanish giants would reportedly only move for him if Alejandro Balde leaves the club.
Interestingly, Manchester United have also shown interest in Balde. However, Balde’s own injury concerns have complicated that possibility.
Therefore, Cucurella may now represent the safer option for United because of his Premier League experience.
🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the defender and value him at around €40M-€50M.
Cucurella is also understood to be open to leaving Stamford… pic.twitter.com/L40sXPBOak
— Transfer News Live (@TNLdotcom) June 8, 2026
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