English club Manchester United set to enter race alongside Everton to sign Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Red Devils are keen to bolster their defensive set-up ahead of the new season this year. While Mikel Arteta is looking to make a stronger comeback with Gunners.

The Londoners are currently ninth in the table with just 52 points from their 35 outings this term. Mikel Arteta is not happy with their current run of form and wants to bounce back and move up the ladder. However, the strike force is missing their goal-scoring boots this season.

While United have turned up the table from the season start to now and found their rhythm. However, they’re 10 points behind their arch-rivals Manchester City in the title race. Both Manchester clubs have reached Europa League and Champions League finals after an impressive performance in the semis.

City will face Chelsea in the Finale of Champions League and United will take on Spanish side Villarreal being managed by former Arsenal coach Unai Emery. However, both sides have already started making shortlists for the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have already convinced Uruguayan striker to stay at United until the end of 2022 summer. The veteran forward has been impressive for the English side in the final third in recent games. He has scored 15 goals across all competitions this term since joining United for free last October.

However, the club need to sort out their defensive unit as well. United are also keen to extend the contract of Luke Shaw as well soon as per media reports in England. The club are in search of defensive reinforcements ahead of the new season.

United’s surprise interest for Arsenal defender

According to The Daily Mail, United have shown interest in signing Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the summer. While there are other two Premier League clubs showing interest in the 23-year-old English international.

Maitland-Niles has already got five international caps to his name for three lions. However, he wasn’t guaranteed game time at the Emirates by Arteta, which made him make a loan move to the Baggies. The versatile full-back is rough diamond and needs the right manager to hone his skills.

The Englishman needs more game time on the pitch, for which he accepted a loan move away from Arsenal. He also didn’t accept a £20m move to Wolves last summer and wanted to fight for his place at Arsenal. The lad did have a good game against Chelsea in FA Cup victory in the pre-season.

Maitland-Niles can offer versatility to United defense

Maitland-Niles is capable of playing on both sides of the pitch and also has the capability to play as a defensive midfielder. This makes him a more versatile and suitable option to be selected in the starting eleven. The youngster has good talent and can develop under the right manager.

United might consider him to be a backup option for Wan-Bisakka at the right-back position. If Diogo Dalot is going to be sold once his loan spell with AC Milan ends, United might go for Maitland-Niles. Brandon Williams is also waiting in the line, which makes this move difficult.

Everton and Leeds United are also keen to add this lad to bolster their squad depth. Maitland-Niles’s good physical presence on the field can be a good positive for any side. He also has good pace and can run down the flank as well. Only time can tell, where he will end up this summer.

The post Manchester United show interest in signing Arsenal full-back in summer appeared first on The12thMan.