Man Utd finish midfield spending and eye left-back targets

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has wrapped up his midfield recruitment for the summer transfer window after overseeing a massive £155m overhaul aimed at preparing the squad for their return to the Champions League.

The arrival of Carlos Baleba in a £70m deal from Brighton completes the midfield revamp alongside £48m signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and £35m former Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans. This trio joins England international Kobbie Mainoo to give United a diverse blend of attributes, with three of the four midfielders aged 22 or under.

However, life at Old Trafford moves fast, and a shock opening-weekend defeat to Hull City quickly heightened the pressure, sparking a post-match debate over the team's passion with former striker Jan Aage Fjortoft.

With the midfield department sorted, attention has naturally shifted towards strengthening other areas of the squad, most notably the left-back position. Luke Shaw started the opening game against Hull, but his historical injury record and a demanding upcoming fixture schedule featuring relentless midweek matches until Christmas have raised valid concerns.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

While Shaw benefited from a lighter schedule last season allowing for proper recovery, the return of European football and domestic cup rounds means United will face severe fixture congestion. This combination of an extensive match calendar and Shaw's past fitness struggles makes signing an additional left-back a logical step.

Newcastle United's 21-year-old defender Lewis Hall is a player the club genuinely likes, though extracting him from St James' Park would require a massive bid. Alternative options such as Racing Santander's 19-year-old Jorge Salinas have also been monitored, while internal utility players like Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui remain ready to cover if needed.

Source: BBC Sport