Manchester United aims to sign Hall as Shaw's successor, but Newcastle's managerial change poses an obstacle! May require £70 million, difficult to complete this summer

Manchester United's left-back spot has been revamped repeatedly over the years, but the team still depends exclusively on Luke Shaw. Carrick aims to reinforce this position in the transfer window, as the 31-year-old "Shaw" played every Premier League match last season, primarily due to the team's single front. Despite this, the English defender frequently faced injury risks. With Champions League football next season, Luke Shaw cannot shoulder the burden of all matches.

Between 2022 and 2024, Manchester United signed Tyrell Malacia and loaned Sergio Reguilón, but Ten Hag was forced to use Sofyan Amrabat and Victor Lindelöf as makeshift left-backs. Those players have since left, leaving only Luke Shaw, who joined in 2014, as a constant presence. United must decide whether to offer Shaw a new contract next year.

Carrick used youth academy product Harry Amass as a substitute left-back in warm-up matches. The 19-year-old English talent is hailed as the "heir to Luke Shaw," but he suffered a hamstring injury last season and missed six months of competitive play. United's transfer department believes he has not yet reached the required level and is considering selling him for £6 million.

However, United's search for a replacement for Luke Shaw has not gone smoothly. Lewis Hall of Newcastle United is the club's top choice, but his departure from St James' Park this summer seems unlikely. Newcastle's recent managerial change only makes the deal more difficult.

Last week, Lewis Hall was the focus of Newcastle's new away kit launch, being the only Magpies player mentioned in the announcement, referred to as "a lifelong fan of the Magpies." Many see this as confirmation of his stay, but over the years, several players have appeared in club promotional materials yet left during the transfer window. Unfortunately for Manchester United, Hall may not be among them.

Manchester United's interest in Hall has long been well-known. He is an English player, turning 22 in September, and is an ideal candidate to succeed Luke Shaw. However, the Red Devils' chances of signing him now seem lower than in May. Unless they offer a very high transfer fee, luring Newcastle into selling will be difficult.

At the start of the transfer window, Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70 million and then Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million, improving their financial situation. They may also sell captain Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal. If that deal goes through, the Magpies' summer revenue would exceed £200 million.

Newcastle's management has privately emphasized that the club does not need to sell any more players at this time. This does not mean they would not consider a very lucrative offer, but the transfer fee must be very high. £50 million is definitely not enough; at least £60 million, or even £70 million, would be required to persuade the Saudi-backed owners.

Newcastle spent £35 million to sign Hall from Chelsea, and his contract runs until 2029. The club from northeast England is unlikely to agree to a cheap sale. They will demand a transfer fee that breaks the world record for a full-back, which is understandable given the current market value of players this summer.

After selling Gordon and Tonali, losing Guimarães and Hall as well would be a devastating blow to Newcastle. The Magpies insist that both players are not for sale. There may still be variables regarding Arsenal and Guimarães, but current indications suggest that Hall will wear the black-and-white striped shirt in the Premier League on the opening day of the new season.

At the end of last season, Hall was dissatisfied with Eddie Howe's use of him, believing it cost him a spot in England's World Cup squad. Now, with the club changing managers—Matthias Jaissle, formerly of Saudi club Al-Ahli, taking over—Hall may be given more playing time, temporarily putting aside thoughts of a move to Manchester United.

Even if Hall goes on strike this summer, refusing to play to force a transfer, Newcastle would be forced to act, but Hall has no intention of doing so. Moreover, the example of Isak has shown that even if a player is uncooperative, the Magpies will still demand a high price to agree to a transfer.

If Manchester United fails to sell Rashford, they are likely to abandon signing a new winger this summer and instead allocate more funds to the left-back position. Last week, the Red Devils signed 18-year-old left winger Tainen Thompson from Tottenham for £8 million. He has already joined the first-team training, further indicating that the club may focus on revamping the left-back role.

However, the Manchester Evening News reports that spending £70 million on Hall this summer would still exceed United's budget. The most likely scenario is that United will reconsider their interest in Hall next summer, when his contract with Newcastle will have two years remaining, and Luke Shaw will be 32, giving the Red Devils a higher budget for a left-back.

This raises another question: how will Manchester United plan for the left-back position in the 2026/2027 season? Luke Shaw's physical condition will certainly not withstand the pressure of playing twice a week.

If Manchester United sell Amass, the left-back options will be limited to three: moving Patrick Dorgu back to left-back, with Rashford as left winger; or using one of the right-backs, Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui, as a left-back backup, with youth academy player Jayden Kamanzi as a right-back substitute—Kamanzi has impressed in warm-up matches; or signing a cheaper new player, such as Fulham's Antonee Robinson, a 28-year-old American international valued at around £30 million.