Manchester United are interested in signing Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier this summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to bolster his first-team squad.

What's the story?

According to the Daily Mail, the 30-year-old is available for the right price in the upcoming transfer window as cash-strapped Atleti look to raise some funds, with United and fellow Premier League outfit Everton thought to be keen on his signature.

Trippier has impressed since moving to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium two years ago, helping Diego Simeone's side lift the La Liga title in the recently concluded campaign.

United must swoop

The Old Trafford outfit are thought to be prioritising moves for Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane this summer, but it's believed they remain keen to bring in Trippier if their budget allows them to make a move.

United had a solid 2020/21 campaign, finishing second in the top-flight table, before being surprisingly beaten by Unai Emery's Villarreal in the Europa League final.

Their lack of strength in depth was exposed in the showpiece event in Gdansk when Solskjaer refused to make a single substitution until deep into extra time, despite the goalless scoreline.

Adding some quality additions to his side's starting XI is, therefore, not the Norwegian's sole objective over the imminent transfer window.

The addition of some much-needed strength in depth is also required if the 20-time English champions are to return to their former glory, and Trippier's arrival would provide just that.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed in the right-back berth since his arrival from Crystal Palace back in 2019, but his exceptionally high game time illustrates the Red Devils' current issue.

The 23-year-old has made 100 appearances for United in just two years, an unsustainably high figure in the long-term, meaning Solskjaer must swoop for the £18 million rated Trippier before the Toffees do.

While Wan-Bissaka excels in the defensive aspect of his game, Trippier is more at home in the final third, and England manager Gareth Southgate has been quick to praise for former Tottenham Hotspur star's crossing ability whilst he was on international duty in the past.

“Kieran has outstanding quality, and that kind of profile in that position is very important,” said Southgate.

His addition would add top-quality cover and competition in the full-back positions and give United a more natural attacking option against suitable opponents, potentially propelling the English giants back towards major trophies.

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