Man Utd told Luke Shaw replacement will be staring them in the face this weekend amid Celtic 'talks'

Manchester United have been urged to look at the possibility of signing Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney amid the Scotland international’s talks with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

Tierney left Celtic for Arsenal in 2019 in a deal worth £25m. He was tipped to become a key player for the Gunners but a number of injury issues have saw him fail to establish himself at the Emirates Stadium. He has spent time out on loan at La Liga side Real Sociedad and only recently returned from injury last month. The 27-year-old is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season and is expected to leave North London. He is free to speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract deal.

Reports last week claimed the Glasgow club had held talks with the player about a free transfer in the summer but wages are said to be a sticking point. United are short at left-back following another injury set-back to Luke Shaw last month. Given that Arsenal and United both play in the Premier League, the Red Devils are not free to approach Tierney for pre-contract talks. Although, with little time left on his contract, he could be available at a bargain price and the club have been told to consider a move ahead of the FA Cup meeting between United and Arsenal this weekend.

Pundit’s shock at lack of interest in Tierney

Former Watford, Sheffield United and St Mirren player Stephen McGinn - who is the brother of Tierney’s international teammate John McGinn - admits he is surprised that top clubs in the Premier League have not been looking at a deal for Tierney. He told Go Radio: "Celtic don't really have any right in the modern times to get him. Every top club wants two players for every position. Kieran Tierney has been available for a lot of games in the last few years. You are telling me a Man United wouldn't be interested in a Kieran Tierney and would pay more money for him just to be a squad player?

“Celtic aren't going to do anything mad financially and take risks, especially over the left back position. They have just made a profit on (Alexandro) Bernabei so it might be that behind the scenes, that offsets what the loan fee will be for Kieran Tierney."

United’s January plans and how Tierney could fit

Speaking about the club’s plans, Manchester World reporter Rich Fay said: “We were told from the off that United don’t have a transfer budget this month. They are not ruling out loan deals or free agents. Similar to what we have seen in past January windows. We have seen Odion Ighalo come in, Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer, Sergio Reguilón and those are the kind of deals I’d expect to see more than anything this window.

“Ruben Amorim would love a left wing-back and love a striker. The only issue is can you get somebody in this month who is good enough in the long-term. If not, then you have got to delay it until the summer. There are the two positions that United are most likely to add to. Because United don’t have a budget, they have got to get rid of players first.”

Tierney is a left-back by trade but has played at left midfield at points throughout his career. He is used to covering attacking ground when he gets the rare chance to play for Arsenal and given United’s budget constraints could be seen as a short-term fix before becoming a squad player under Amorim. Still only 27, he has plenty of years ahead of him. He has been on the bench for Arsenal’s last nine Premier League games and was an unused substitute as Newcastle United beat the Gunners 2-0 on Tuesday night. He is in line to at least be in the squad against United this weekend.