Manchester United Transfer News: Omar Elabdellaoui, Mathieu Debuchy Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly trying to complete a late deal for Olympiakos full-back Omar Elabdellaoui after it was claimed a loan bid for Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy was rebuffed.

According to Ian Abrahams of talkSPORT, the Red Devils are seeking to bolster their injury-ravaged defence with the capture of Elabdellaoui, although he remains sceptical over whether or not a deal will get over the line:

Elsewhere, United reportedly turned to their longstanding rivals Arsenal in an attempt to add defensive quality. RMC journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi (h/t Will Giles of Metro) writes that the Red Devils enquired about potentially signing Debuchy on loan, although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was adamant no deal would be done.

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At the moment United are desperately short of options in the full-back positions. As PhysioRoom.com notes, the Red Devils currently have Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo sidelined with injury, leaving manager Louis van Gaal with a headache in these positions.

Elabdellaoui would certainly be an intriguing option, especially give the 24-year-old was a Manchester City player until 2013. Here’s a look at what he can potentially offer:

Since leaving the Etihad Stadium, the right-back has developed into an exciting talent. He can play anywhere on the right flank, and although he is a capable defender, his main strengths come in his forward play.

Elabdellaoui is also experienced at the highest level, having featured in all six of his side’s Champions League matches this season and 19 times for Norway, too.

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However, if the Red Devils were looking for someone with a little more Premier League nous, it’d be little surprise if there was genuine interest in Debuchy.

WhoScored.com runs the rule over the kind of qualities Debuchy would potentially bring to any potential suitors:

The Arsenal man has hardly featured for the Gunners this season due to the rapid emergence of Hector Bellerin and is set to leave the club before the end of the window, according to Giles. It’s noted in the piece that, according to Bouhafsi, United were keen, but the Arsenal boss did not want to move the player on to a Premier League rival.

Giles also writes that the France international is set to move on loan to Bordeaux before the January window closes.

If United don’t get a deal over the line for a new full-back, then it could well turn out to be a blessing for the players currently filling the flanking defensive positions. As football reporter Peter Hall notes, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Guillermo Varela have both been impressive lately:

Still, for a team with ambitions of challenging for the title, none of the names aforementioned are likely to inspire the United fanbase.

Injuries have admittedly taken their toll on this facet of the squad, but it’s imperative the Red Devils have strength in depth in every area if they’re to match the lofty ambitions their supporters preserve. As such, it’d be no surprise to see the right-back slot addressed with greater attention in the summer window.