Man Utd target Rico Henry to solve left-back problems

Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Brentford left-back Rico Henry, according to the Daily Mail.

This move is a response to the news that Luke Shaw has sustained a muscle that will rule him for a few months. 

Tyrell Malacia has been injured since pre-season and is still not close to returning to the pitch.

United manager Erik Ten Hag is considering several left-backs to fill the void left by Shaw’s absence. 

Among the prime transfer targets are Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon, and Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso.

However, Henry is now on their shortlist of targets.

He has consistently impressed with Brentford following his switch from Walsall in 2016 and has now emerged as a viable candidate for United. 

The 26-year-old is consistently available, missing just one Premier League fixture last season, providing two assists and helping them keep nine clean sheets. 

Henry has been in Brentford’s starting line-up for all three Premier League games this term. He has one assist and helped them keep one shut-out.

A first England call-up is reportedly on the horizon for Henry as England manager Gareth Southgate attended Brentford’s season opener against Tottenham, possibly to assess him.

Shaw’s unfortunate injury has created an unforeseen vacancy in the England squad. The United defender usually competes with Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell for the starting spot. 

Henry is an England youth international, donning the Three Lions jersey at under-19 and under-20 levels.

Securing Henry’s services from Brentford this late into the transfer window will be difficult. 

Brentford will be keen to retain the defender and will not want to entertain discussions about a potential departure until the end of the season.

Prising Henry away from Brentford will require a significant sum as he is under contract until 2026.