Photo: Reguilón, on loan from Real Madrid, was one of Sevilla's key players in their Europa League campaign
Manchester United seem to have finally put their foot on the accelerator as we’re starting to see incessant transfer activity from the Red Devils. Since securing the signature of Donny van de Beek from Ajax, our first senior team signing of the summer, we’ve been constantly getting linked to players like the much-touted RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano, and Sergio Reguilon, who spent the last season at Sevilla on loan from Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane has decided to stick with Marcelo and Ferland Mendy as his primary options for LB, which frees up Reguilon to potentially leave this summer for a fee in the region of £20-30 million. Real will seek a buy-back clause, as the player wishes to be a Galactico himself one day. It is unlikely United would agree to an insertion of a buy-back clause.
Let’s have a look at the player…
Club Career
Photo: The Spaniard might be deemed surplus by Los Blancos
Reguilón joined the Los Blancos youth setup in 2005 as an 8-year old. He got his first loan move in August 2015 to UD Logrones but was used sparingly, leading to a return back to Bernabeu. He returned to Logrones in August 2016 on a 1-yr loan deal, but this time as an undisputed starter. He scored 8 goals during the campaign and even slotted four against Athletic Bilbao in the same match. Upon returning to RM Castilla, Reguilon was the first choice in Santiago Solari’s side.
He successfully renewed his contract in May 2018. He was promoted to the main squad in August 2018, by then Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui, with whom he was reunited at Sevilla. The Spaniard made his professional senior debut in October 2018 as a starter in Real’s 0-1 loss against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League. Reguilon was loaned to Sevilla for the 19/20 season. He had a successful loan spell by all measures, winning the Europa League in the process. The talented left-back played a major part in dismantling the favorites of the competition - Manchester United.
Why does Manchester United need Sergio Reguilón?
The 23-year old Spanish International has dazzled everyone with his ability to move forward the pitch and attack the ball. He can switch the play from one flank to another, causing problems for the opposition while backing off, leading to spaces being left in the defense. Reguilón is a hard-working player and is constantly moving up and down the field. He looks to press high and is proactive in winning back possession. With this comes a self-awareness that he is not the best 1 v 1 defender, and the fullback is comfortable relying on his pace to aid his recovery runs.
I personally love Luke Shaw, but the feeling of, “We missed Shaw in the latter stages of the season”, is one that’s common for every Manchester United fan. To be fair on Brandon Williams as well, he did great when called upon by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and even stated in an interview that he’s willing to put in the shift anywhere on the field for the manager, but he’s really uncomfortable playing at LB, being right-footed himself. Bringing the left-footed Sergio Reguilón into the mix allows Solskjaer to move Brandon Williams as a backup to Wan-Bissaka.
I think of Reguilón as a backup to Shaw as the Englishman is a better player defensively, and that’s where I feel we’re lacking. A faction of United fans believe that Reguilón would be an upgrade to Shaw and should be starting ahead of him if we can get the player. Shaw’s woeful injury record hasn’t helped him fulfill his potential but might open the door for Reguilón to step-in.
Verdict
Real Madrid is willing to sell a player with very high potential at a relatively nominal fee. Sergio Reguilón is a player who perfectly suits Manchester United’s aggressive, attacking style of football under Solskjaer. Luke Shaw is a player with not the greatest injury records and Brandon Williams is a right-footed player who seems to be uncomfortable as a left-back.
We’ve no natural left-footed fullbacks in our ranks barring Shaw. Everything points to the fact that Manchester United should be all over this deal. It’s not easy to come by a player of Reguilón’s quality being available at such a relatively cheap price. I believe Ole needs to twist the screws if he has to and convince the board, especially Joel Glazer, that United really need to get Sergio Reguilón.
Sevilla is interested in extending his loan by another year, but Real Madrid would be accepting a bid for the talented fullback if it’s at the right price. The Spaniard naturally calls Santiago Bernabeu his home but has failed to establish himself as a Galactico. The buy-back clause Real are willing to insert in Reguilon’s contract might lead to a complication, but by all means, Reguilón is a player we really need. Recently, reports have come in that Manchester United may be willing to settle for the alternative option of signing Sergio Reguilón on loan.
Do you think United should get Reguilón?
Leave your thoughts in the comments…
Hitanshu (@TheDevilsDen_92) is a writer at large, and one of the global contributors to the Daily Manc team. He is also the creator and chief editor of The Devil's Den.
All opinions and materials of contributor writers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent positions held by The Daily Manc.