Martin Keown Warns Man Utd They Must Replace One Player to Compete for Silverware

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he must replace right-back Ashley Young in the near future if Manchester United are to compete

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he must replace right-back Ashley Young in the near future if Manchester United are to compete for silverware.

The 33-year-old has seen his role change from a winger to a full-back in recent seasons, even switching from the left side of the field to the right, and continues to be a regular part of the Red Devils' lineup.

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However, speaking on BBC's Match of the Day(via The Express), Keown insisted that Solskjaer must look to replace Young as soon as possible.

He said: “We know he [Solskjaer] will be given money to spend. Central defence is certainly a position, [Ander] Herrera hasn’t signed his contract in midfield, perhaps a midfielder, and definitely a right-back.

“Ashley Young is getting on in years so definitely a right-back. They’re not far away. This is a team in the quarter-finals of the Champions League so it’s not wholesale changes but it’s going to be expensive.”

Never in doubt Ole.
Your @ManUtd journey continues! #OleAtTheWheel 👹🤘🏾 pic.twitter.com/liIYcVY2Nu

— Ashley Young (@youngy18) March 28, 2019

United currently have Diogo Dalot who many have tipped to become their starting right-back in the near future, whilst Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia are both expected to leave the club this summer.

Young, who signed a one-year contract extension in February, has made 33 appearances for the club this season, even registering two goals and three assists. He has occasionally filled in as a left-back, but the vast majority of his outings have been on the opposite side.

With Young dominating the starting lineup, Dalot has been forced to accept a reserve role this season. The 20-year-old, who moved to the club from Porto in a £19m move last summer, has started just 12 matches this season, often playing in a more advanced role than Young on the field.

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However, in this position, Dalot has enjoyed an impressive run of form. He has contributed two assists in his last five matches, leaving many fans questioning whether Dalot's future is actually as a winger.

Dalot is a ready-made replacement for Young but, if United see his future further up the pitch, they may be forced to look to the transfer market for a replacement, with Crystal Palace wonderkid Aaron Wan-Bissaka thought to be high on their wish list.