Man United set to battle Man City in the race for Premier League defender

Man United set to battle Man City in the race for Premier League defender Malo Gusto Transfer Latest as Manchester United and Manchester City Track Chelsea Defender Manchester United and Manchester City are both monitoring Malo Gusto, with talkSPORT reporting growing interest in the Chelsea right-back as his place at Stamford Bridge comes under increasing pressure. Gusto, valued by Chelsea at £75million, has seen his standing shift sharply under Xabi Alonso. Once a regular presence, the 23-year-old has not started a Premier League match since September 12 and has lost ground in the pecking order, with Josh Acheampong preferred at right-back even during Reece James’ absence. Malo Gusto on Manchester clubs radar There is no certainty yet that either Manchester club will move formally in the January window, but the interest is real. Manchester City had already been linked in the summer, when there was thought to be an appetite for a reunion between Gusto and Enzo Maresca. Any move from City, though, sits against a difficult backdrop. The club are still waiting on the outcome of their appeal following the Premier League’s guilty verdict on 114 charges relating to financial rule breaches. With sanctions still unresolved, any significant recruitment drive could prove more complicated, especially at a valuation of £75million. United’s position is also worth watching closely. Old Trafford is heading towards another major reset, with a deal agreed in principle for USA boss Mauricio Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick. That uncertainty can often slow decision-making, though it can also sharpen focus on profiles seen as market opportunities. Chelsea role raises January questions Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon in 2023 for around £26m and has gone on to make 144 appearances, scoring three goals. Those numbers point to trust over time, yet the picture this season has changed. He has started only three of seven Premier League appearances and, despite featuring in all three Carabao Cup ties, his opportunities in the league have dried up. Chelsea’s fourth-round exit to Liverpool on penalties appears to have deepened the scrutiny. His display at Anfield drew a strong reaction inside the ground and across the wider conversation afterwards. Adrian Durham said: “There were cheers from the Chelsea fans at Anfield when he was taken off. He was awful. “One Chelsea fan messaged me saying I don’t want to see him in a Chelsea shirt again. “Players go through this, but it feels like it could be the end of the road. He was actually linked with Man City in the summer, and they’re talking about him going Man City in January. “I don’t really understand what City see, but I’m being a very harsh critic of a footballer here.” Andy Townsend was similarly unimpressed, accusing Gusto of going “a little soft” and criticising him for going to ground too easily and looking for free-kicks. Transfer value and next steps At £75million, this would be a major deal for a player whose stock has dipped in recent months. That valuation alone makes the situation intriguing. Chelsea clearly still see Gusto as an asset of significant worth, even if his current role has diminished. For interested clubs, the calculation will centre on whether this is a temporary downturn or a more telling sign in his development. United and City are both alert to market openings, especially when dealing with Premier League-proven talent in the right age bracket. Gusto fits that profile, and even amid the doubts, the combination of age, experience and positional value explains why he remains under observation. Our View This is one to watch closely because the profile makes sense, even if the timing raises questions. A 23-year-old right-back with top-level experience, pace, athleticism and a background of regular football at Chelsea is always going to attract interest. The concern is whether £75million reflects the player’s actual level right now, or Chelsea’s desire to protect a valuable asset in a difficult moment. There is also the broader point around United’s priorities. Right-back may need attention, but any new regime will surely look first at the spine of the team and at players who can immediately lift standards. If Gusto is a long-term development play, that is one conversation. If he is being viewed as a marquee defensive addition at £75million, that feels harder to justify based on current form. Still, elite recruitment is often about separating short-term noise from longer-term quality. One poor spell, even one accompanied by boos and harsh reviews, does not define a player forever. If the internal assessment is that his drop-off is more situational than structural, then there could be value in moving before the market swings again. United need smart decisions, not reactive ones, and this would have to be one of them.