Manchester United have closed their summer transfer business, leaving Michael Carrick with the squad he must rely on for a demanding season.
The Red Devils made significant additions in midfield, but one position remains a major talking point: left-back.
United were interested in Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall during the summer. However, no agreement was reached before the transfer window closed, leaving Hall at St. James’ Park.
For former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, that could eventually prove to be a costly missed opportunity.
With Luke Shaw remaining the club’s primary natural left-back, United have limited cover in the position. And with the Champions League returning to their schedule, the lack of depth could become increasingly important.
Wes Brown Believes Lewis Hall Was the Perfect Fit
Lewis Hall was one of several left-backs linked with Manchester United during the summer.
The club also considered Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal and Alejandro Balde of Barcelona, but none of the three ultimately moved to Old Trafford.
Newcastle were reportedly looking for around £75 million for Hall. Manchester United did not complete the deal, allowing the 21-year-old to remain on Tyneside.
Brown believes United should have been prepared to pay the asking price.
“You can see Lewis Hall is a really good player. He is young and clearly someone you could bring to Manchester United who would fit really well,” Brown told Oddschecker.
“I would definitely pay that price for him. He would fit really well,” he added.
Brown’s assessment is particularly interesting given United’s current situation.
Hall is still only 21, meaning a potential move could also have represented a long-term investment for Manchester United.
More importantly, his profile appears to address an area where Carrick currently lacks depth.
Luke Shaw Remains United’s Main Option
With Hall staying at Newcastle, Luke Shaw is expected to remain Manchester United’s main natural option at left-back.
The 31-year-old has shown that he can still make an important contribution when available.
Last season, Shaw featured in all 38 Premier League matches for United. However, his injury history remains a concern.
Brown acknowledged Shaw’s quality but also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding his fitness.
“Luke is still an outstanding player, but there is always a question mark over his injury record,” Brown said.
That issue becomes more significant when considering United’s schedule.
The Red Devils are returning to the Champions League, meaning Carrick will have to manage his squad across several competitions.
Alongside Premier League fixtures, United will also compete in European and domestic tournaments.
A reliable backup at left-back could therefore have been valuable, particularly during periods when matches arrive every few days.
Manchester United Have Options, But None Are Ideal
United are not completely without alternatives.
Harry Amass can operate at left-back, although the young player still needs to establish himself at senior level.
Carrick can also move Patrick Dorgu into the position when necessary.
However, Dorgu has more frequently been used in a more attacking role. Moving him deeper could therefore affect Carrick’s options elsewhere.
That situation contrasts sharply with Manchester United’s midfield.
The club signed three new midfielders during the summer, giving Carrick considerably more depth in that area.
Carlos Baleba, one of the midfield additions, was still recovering from injury and had not made his debut when United faced Everton.
The difference in squad depth is therefore noticeable.
Manchester United’s current left-back options include:
- Luke Shaw — the main natural senior option
- Harry Amass — a younger alternative
- Patrick Dorgu — capable of filling the role but often used more offensively
That leaves Carrick with fewer straightforward solutions at left-back than he has in midfield.
Champions League Could Test United’s Squad Depth
The return of Champions League football raises the stakes.
Manchester United will have to navigate a much busier calendar, making squad rotation an important part of Carrick’s job.
When players are available and fit, the lack of depth may not be a major problem. But football seasons rarely go exactly according to plan.
An injury to Shaw could immediately force Carrick to consider alternatives.
That is why Brown’s comments about Hall carry additional weight.
The Newcastle defender could have provided competition for Shaw while also offering a younger option for the future.
Instead, Carrick must work with the players already at his disposal until the next transfer window arrives.
Could United Regret Missing Lewis Hall?
For now, there is no way to know whether Manchester United will ultimately regret not signing Hall.
If Shaw remains fit throughout the campaign, the issue may receive relatively little attention.
However, if injuries disrupt his season, United could quickly find themselves searching for solutions in a position where their options are limited.
Hall offered an appealing combination of youth and Premier League experience, while Newcastle’s reported £75 million valuation made the deal a significant financial commitment.
United ultimately decided not to proceed.
That decision cannot be judged solely on the transfer fee. Carrick and the club had to consider the wider squad, available budget and other priorities during the summer.
Still, Brown’s assessment raises a valid question.
Manchester United invested heavily to strengthen their midfield, but left-back remains an area where the squad could be vulnerable.
Carrick Must Make the Current Squad Work
With the transfer window closed, Carrick’s focus must now shift toward getting the best out of his available players.
Shaw is likely to remain the first-choice option, while Amass can provide cover and Dorgu offers another tactical possibility.
The manager will also have to manage Shaw’s workload carefully, especially with Champions League football adding more fixtures to the calendar.
For Manchester United, everything could depend on one simple factor: Shaw’s fitness.
If he stays healthy, Carrick may have little reason to worry.
But if another injury setback occurs, the decision to pass on Lewis Hall could become one of the more heavily discussed moments of United’s summer transfer window.
As Brown put it, Hall is a “really good player” who could have fitted Manchester United well.
Now, the opportunity has gone.
Carrick must find a way forward with the squad he has—and hope United do not discover too late what they might have gained from signing Hall.
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