Manchester United’s summer recruitment drive has slowed in recent weeks.
The Red Devils were prioritising their central midfield this summer. Despite missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, Man Utd did bring in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Adding extra bodies to a key area of the pitch.
Attention now turns to left-back. Luke Shaw is the sole option for Michael Carrick, with Tyrell Malacia leaving at the end of his contract. Shaw started all 38 league games and registered his most career Premier League minutes, potentially moving on from his injury-prone past.
Of course, there was the advantage of playing just one game a week. Now Man Utd are back in the Champions League, they need strength in depth. Shaw won’t be able to play a game every few days.
As a result, Man Utd have been linked to Lewis Hall. However, Newcastle United are reluctant to cash in on the 21-year-old, and understandably so.
This has been a tumultuous summer for Newcastle. They’ve already seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali depart for hefty fees, while Bruno Guimaraes is on the cusp of a move to Arsenal. And that’s before you get to Eddie Howe’s sudden departure, with Matthias Jaissle coming in to replace him.
So Newcastle are prepared to fight tooth and nail to keep Hall. But who could Man Utd target at left-back in his stead?
Lewis Hall alternatives
Antonee Robinson
Fulham, like Newcastle, are ushering in a new era with Alvaro Arbeola replacing Marco Sillva at the Craven Cottage helm. While it remains to be seen how the Cottagers set up this season, 2026/27 may be a campaign where Antonee Robinson plays second fiddle to Ryan Sessegnon.
The American has previously been linked with a move to one of the Premier League’s so-call Big Six. So an Old Trafford switch isn’t against the realms of possibility. Indeed, Robinson would be a cheaper alternative to Hall for the Red Devils. While perhaps not as effective offensively, Robinson is still a player who looks to get forward where possible. And at 28, he’s approaching his peak years.
David Raum
RB Leipzig are set to lose Yan Diomande this summer, with the Ivorian Real Madrid-bound. They may yet lose a second winger, as Antonio Nusa is linked with a move away. Just as Newcastle are being picked apart, RB Leipzig could yet suffer a similar fate.
Man Utd could join the raid. David Raum is an attacking left-back and one Man Utd might target as an alternative to Hall. The 28-year-old created more chances (96) than any other player in the Bundesliga last season. His seven assists ranked among the top 20 players in the division, too. Again, Raum is another player reaching his peak years and he’d provide another crucial attacking outlet.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Man Utd were linked with a move for El Hadji Malick Diouf earlier in the year. And West Ham United‘s relegated was expected to have accelerated his London Stadium exit. But the Hammers have turned sizeable profits on Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville.
They now don’t really need to cash in on Diouf, who provided five assists in his debut Premier League season. Only Lucas Digne (six) managed more among defenders. Even so, the 21-year-old has had a taste for Premier League football and Man Utd can offer him the chance of an immediate return. The Senegal international is one that looks to fly up the left flank, and Man Utd could certainly utilise a full-back of his calibre.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
This is an outside chance, but Myles Lewis-Skelly is once again being linked with a move away from Arsenal. The youngester was key in the final weeks of the 2025/26 season as the Gunners won the league and reached the Champions League Final. However, the impending addition of Bruno Guimaraes may again limit his game time.
That signing, combined with the permanent arrival of Piero Hincapie, means Lewis-Skelly is once again expected to find playing time hard to come by. The path from the Emirates to Old Trafford isn’t a well-trodden one, though it has been walked by Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez in recent years. The promise of regular action could be enough to convince Lewis-Skelly to swap the red of Arsenal with the red of Man Utd.
Jorge Salinas
One for the future, Man Utd have been credited with an interest in Racing Santander teenager Jorge Salinas. Barcelona have also been monitoring Salinas, so Man Utd have a battle on their hands to sign the Spaniard.
The 19-year-old was key as Racing returned to La Liga, finishing top of the Segunda Division. Salinas is a more defensive-minded full-back than, say, Raum and Diouf, and is able to operate at centre-back, too. Saying that, there are concerns over whether he could adjust to the physical rigours of the Premier League.
Djed Spence
A ‘hear us out’ shout… but just hear us out. Djed Spence proved his worth and then some at the 2026 World Cup. Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be open to the idea of cashing in on the England international. Inter Milan have registered an interest. So, too, have Liverpool.
Spence is a one-on-one defensive specialist with a knack for beating a man, which would appeal to Man Utd, particularly in games where they will be up against the ropes. Saying that, the 25-year-old often looks to cut inside when playing down the left. The widemen in Carrick’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup like to do similar. He’d boost Man Utd’s defensive options, but he is perhaps not the left-back they really need.