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According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United are keen on signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier, but a potential summer move would come 12 months too late for club and player.

Why is it too late for United?

This time last year the Red Devils would have been getting a full-back full of confidence who was about to shine for England at the 2018 World Cup.

His delivery from crosses was especially impressive for Spurs last term, and someone like Romelu Lukaku would surely have thrived on his service from the right flank during the current campaign.

Bringing in Trippier would also have prevented Ashley Young being near the starting line-up too given he has often featured at right-back or right wing-back this term, with the 33-year-old proving to be a big liability at times.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signs the 28-year-old now he will be getting a player who appears to have lost the belief in his own ability, and who is really struggling from a defensive point of view as well as with his tally of assists – exactly what United don't need given their own struggles.

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Why is it too late for Trippier?

Following an impressive season with Spurs and the high of scoring World Cup semi-final goal for his country, it was the ideal time for him to take a step forward in his career.

A move to Old Trafford would have undoubtedly been that no matter what Tottenham fans may say, and he would have been the undoubted first choice in his position at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.

While he was a player seemingly in his prime then, it is a different story now given he isn't even a regular for his current employers.

A move away and fresh start last summer may have meant that his form would have been less likely to decline like it has done, and in that respect it could now be a bad time to move on.