Manchester United's obvious transfer solution highlights significant squad shortcomings

It might have been a shock to see Ryan Bertrand trending on various social media platforms on Friday afternoon, especially when digging a little deeper at the content that thrust him back onto the radar.

Owing to a knee injury, the former England international has not played in the Premier League since October 2021 and did not feature at all for Leicester City during their ill-fated relegation campaign. Bertrand, 34, remains without a club, but that might not be the case for much longer as an unlikely comeback story bubbles away.

Having been spotted training with Chelsea - his first team - there has been a welcome trip down memory lane for Bertrand as the left-back re-familiarises himself with the place where he won a Champions League medal a decade ago. From one dream to another, which could also become reality.

Manchester United have reportedly added the fit-again defender to their (emergency) shopping list after England regular Luke Shaw picked up a muscular injury. That is feared to be worse than first thought and United are already without Tyrell Malacia due to a setback he first suffered last campaign.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN's dedicated Manchester United FC app packed with premium features? Click here .

ALSO READ: United in the market for left-back after injury

With now-former United defender Brandon Williams departing for Championship outfit Ipswich Town on Thursday afternoon, the club have quickly gone from two options - or three including Malacia - to zero at left-back side from young rookie Alvaro Fernandez. It means Erik ten Hag will almost certainly deploy right-back Diogo Dalot on the opposite side against Nottingham Forest when those clubs get down to