Manchester United Transfer News: Charlie Taylor Targeted After Luke Shaw Injury

The long-term injury to defender Luke Shaw has prompted Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to assess his options, with the Red Devils now on the trail of Leeds United's wonderkid Charlie Taylor.

The Daily Star's chief sports writer Jeremy Cross says Van Gaal has already scouted the brilliant 21-year-old, with the writer describing the player as "one of the brightest prospects outside the top flight."

A bid of £4 million is expected to be made by LvG in January as United look to take the left-back from one of their most bitter rivals. 

There is a fear Shaw will miss at least 10 months of football, per Cross, forcing Van Gaal to dip into the winter transfer market.

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

However, the United boss remained positive about Shaw's prognosis, saying he might play again during the current campaign after the horror injury, as reported by the Manchester Evening News' Stuart Mathieson:

"

It is awful. A boy who comes at 18 to Manchester and has it very difficult (in his first season last year) and then plays fantastically and then it happens like this. I was unable to talk to him in the dressing room because he had an oxygen mask on and he was crying. I am not a doctor so I cannot say how long he will be out but when you have a double fracture it is six months and he will not play in the group phase I think. I hope he can play again this season.

"

Prominent football writer Henry Winter commented on Shaw's bad luck and wished the player a full recovery:

Taylor's switch to United would be a move the youngster would find hard to refuse, but if Shaw returns earlier than expected, it could see the Leeds player out in the cold.

Taylor has previously played for Bradford City, York City and Fleetwood Town, but he has no Premier League experience—a fact that will concern United supporters. 

Taylor has 78 games under his belt in the lower divisions, according to Soccerbase.com, but he would be useful cover for Daley Blind during Shaw's enforced absence. 

However, with Marcos Rojo returning to the United fold, coming on for the Red Devils in their Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Van Gaal has two international-class options who are capable of filling the left-back berth. 

Felice Calabro'/Associated Press

But if United are looking for an experienced candidate to fulfil a short-term role in defence, Will Giles of Metro says supporters are keen on a move for Ashley Cole.

The 34-year-old has struggled during his failed tenure at Roma but could be brought in as a squad option for the Red Devils. 

However, Kevin Palmer in the Irish Independent says no such move will materialise, with United "not too keen" on claiming the services of the former Chelsea defender. Cole is still tied to the Roman side for a further year, and despite being unlikely to play for his team in the next 12 months, any move would be fraught with complications. 

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The talk of a replacement for Shaw is wide of the mark at present, with Van Gaal having adequate coverage. Shaw is young, and if he can return during the Easter period, any addition in January would become surplus.

If United could take Cole on a free transfer, he would represent a modicum of value, but he would only make the bench at Old Trafford and nothing more.

Taylor is an interesting prospect, but moving up to the Premier League with a side who will give him genuine first-team chances would be preferable. However, United would be difficult to turn down due to the size of the club, giving Taylor a quick pass to the big leagues.