Manchester United reported to be pursuing a new left-back, another gamble by Sir Jim Ratcliffe! The last of the "Five Mice" will be available for transfer in the winter window.

Manchester United have submitted their initial offer for the January transfer window, but supporters should remain calm since this deal is unrelated to Ruben Amorim’s senior squad. The Red Devils are interested in the 17-year-old Championship talent Yisa Alao, a left-back at Sheffield Wednesday.

Undoubtedly, British media have labeled Alao with various prodigy tags, calling him a top young player highly praised by coaches. Back in August, Alao made his senior debut for Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. It is reported that Liverpool also made an offer exceeding six figures. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United’s bid was £450,000, but it was rejected.

Manchester United have struggled to find a suitable left wing-back this season, ironically, one of the positions that has seen the most signings under Amorim’s management. Patrick Dogu, signed for €30 million, and young Diego León, acquired for £7 million, both joined the Red Devils last January. Notably, Manchester United also loaned 18-year-old English prospect Harry Armas to Sheffield Wednesday, where he has become a key left-back and has been highly praised this season.

In other words, Manchester United already have plenty of young left-backs they don’t use, but that hasn’t stopped Sir Jim Ratcliffe from continuing his beloved youth "lottery ticket" strategy. Earlier this month, Alao made his Championship debut, becoming the second youngest player to appear in England’s second tier this season. He was just 17 years and 28 days old, with Derby County as his first opponent.

Manchester United’s transfer plans this year indeed include full-backs, with rumors involving both left and right backs. Salvador Blopa, who plays for Amorim’s former club Sporting CP, has also been linked to the Red Devils as a right-back. But the most ridiculous story involves the new Real Madrid signing Arnold!

The Spanish site "Fichajes" surprisingly claimed that Manchester United are ready to pay €40 million for Arnold. It’s well known Arnold came through the youth system of United’s arch-rivals Liverpool, so linking him with Manchester United is utterly absurd — completely ridiculous. This transfer is 100% impossible.

According to the Manchester Evening News, one left-back could leave Manchester United in January. Dutch international Tyrell Malacia, who was listed among the "Five Mice" in the summer squad, has recently reappeared in the Premier League, but that might just be a move by the club to facilitate his sale.

Regarding the decision to bring Malacia on in the 85th minute against Newcastle, Amorim candidly said, "Honestly, I almost forgot he was still in the squad. But other players told me to put him on, and he performed better than I expected — he really impressed me."

Manchester United wanted to offload Malacia in the summer, but multiple negotiations failed. His substitute appearance against Newcastle was his first game in 11 months. If a buyer is found this month, the club will allow the transfer and won’t demand a high fee — it could be done for under £2 million.

Malacia’s contract expires after this season, and the club does not intend to trigger the one-year extension option. If he isn’t sold in the winter window, he will leave on a free transfer when his contract ends in the summer.