Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with shock raids for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw respectively.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United duo Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are attracting interest from Arsenal and Liverpool respectively after rows with manager Jose Mourinho.
Smalling and Shaw were both missing for United’s 3-1 win at Swansea City last Sunday, as the England internationals cited injuries that were preventing them from playing.
Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action with Fenerbahce’s Robin van Persie
Mourinho later told BBC Sport that he wasn’t happy with how both players had pulled out of the United squad, hinting that they need to play through the pain barrier for the club.
Mourinho’s comments have stoked debate throughout the week, and it remains to be seen whether he will continue to select Smalling and Shaw having seemingly lost a little bit of trust in the duo.
Now, The Mirror report that the public spat has prompted some interest from Premier League rivals, with Arsenal allegedly keen on Smalling, and Liverpool holding interest in left back Shaw.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Arsenal boosted their defence by landing Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia in August, but it’s claimed that manager Arsene Wenger has been a long-term fan of Smalling, and would still look to land the 26-year-old should he become available, with question marks over the future of Per Mertesacker..
Meanwhile, Liverpool are in desperate need of a left back, given that Alberto Moreno has been a major flop since his 2014 move from Sevilla, and Jurgen Klopp has resorted to playing midfielder James Milner out of position at left back.
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw in action with Manchester City’s Jesus Navas
Shaw, 21, would certainly fit the bill, but deals between fierce rivals Liverpool and United are few and far between over history, and Mourinho would surely block any deal to send Shaw to Anfield.
Fans would hate to see a young English star leave United for Merseyside, but he may have to fight for his future and prove himself to Mourinho over the coming weeks and months, with Klopp possibly keeping tabs on his situation in the hope of an unlikely deal.
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