Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has conceded that he may need to sign a new left-back during the January transfer window.
Twenty-year-old Luke Shaw started the campaign in that position, but he is expected to remain sidelined for the next few months with the broken leg that he suffered during a Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven in September.
The likes of Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Ashley Young have all featured in that role in Shaw's absence, but it is not an area of the pitch that any of that trio specialize in.
As a result, Van Gaal has revealed that he may need to delve into the transfer market to cover Shaw's absence.
"Luke's rehabilitation is going well but the process can be very slow. I don't know if he will play again this season. The doctors won't take any risks with him, which is good," he told reporters.
"I was convinced Luke would have a very good season and because of that I didn't buy a second player for left-back. Maybe we have to buy a left-back in January."
A report this morning has linked the Red Devils with former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, who has fallen out of favour with Serie A outfit Roma.
Liam Apicella
