After deducing that defenders who can defend are useful components of a football team, Pep Guardiola is in search of his next tactical revelation. He’s planning to make Matheus Nunes the latest signing whose success is almost irrelevant because if it fails, he can just buy someone else. Manchester City have submitted an improved £51.5m bid to Wolves for the 25-year-old midfielder.
Otherwise, much of today’s chatter takes place across Manchester, where hilarity abounds. With Luke Shaw joining Tyrell Malacia on the injured list, United are in search of a left-back no one else wants to fill space and, if necessary, hinder their play over the next couple of months. For reasons known best to Erik ten Hag, if they’ve a past, so much the better, the shortlist comprising Marcos Alonso – whose lack of pace and defensive nous are attractive though he’s keen to stay at Barcelona; Marc Cucurella, whose general ineptitude could be available on loan from Chelsea; and Sergio Reguilón, whose lack of power and positioning is also attractive, though Fulham remain favourites to take him from Spurs.
