Manchester United's inquiry for Hall was rejected by Newcastle, and Ratcliffe has given up! All of United's top summer targets have failed.

Per Sky Sports UK, United contacted Newcastle regarding left-back Lewis Hall and were informed that he is unavailable for transfer regardless of any offer. The 21-year-old has been United's top target for the left-back role in the summer window, yet similarly to other areas, this preferred choice has fallen through.

Before the transfer window opened, Sir Jim Ratcliffe dreamed of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest or Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid, but both attempts ended in failure. Anderson has already moved to Manchester City for £116 million, while Tchouameni, with Real Madrid missing out on Rodri, is set to extend his contract and stay.

At left-back, United wanted a successor for Luke Shaw, and the young Hall fits perfectly, also being a homegrown player, a type Ratcliffe appreciates. United were willing to pay £60 million for Hall, but unfortunately that didn't meet Newcastle's valuation.

Following Alexander Isak last season, Newcastle have sold several players they didn't want to part with this summer, including Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes. This shows that all their players have a price, but after earning £250 million in transfer fees, only an astronomical offer would make them sell Hall. £60 million is no longer enough; it would need to be at least £70 million or more, setting a world record for a full-back. According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it must be a crazy bid.

Newcastle's sporting director Ross Wilson explained the decision: "We didn't want to sell Bruno (Guimaraes). It was never our plan. None of us, including the management, wanted to sell him. He is our captain and very important to us. The discussion about his transfer fee, for a player of his age, set a world record. What we had to seriously consider was Bruno's attitude towards us and his emotional reaction, which clearly told us he wanted to leave. That doesn't mean he can go, but it does affect our decision."

Does this mean that if an offer for any Newcastle player reaches a certain amount, they will be sold? The Magpies chief added: "You can't say this is part of our strategy or plan this summer. It's not the case. We remain flexible and react to the situation. Maybe we planned to sign a player but couldn't, so we move on to another. We just have to face reality."

United will not pay £70 million for Hall, that's certain. Ratcliffe is ready to give up on signing him and is considering other options, such as Fulham's Antonee Robinson. The 28-year-old US international is cheaper and has already proven himself in the Premier League.

Additionally, Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly has been long linked with United, but his price would also be very high like Hall's. The 19-year-old English youngster can also play as a defensive midfielder. In last season's Champions League final, Lewis-Skelly was started by Arteta in midfield.

Jorge Salinas of La Liga newcomers Racing Santander is also on the club's radar. It is said that United's management is very interested in Salinas and has scouted his performances at this year's U19 European Championship. Salinas has a release clause of €16 million (£13 million) in his contract with Racing. Newcastle and Aston Villa are also monitoring the 19-year-old, but Newcastle's scouts reportedly believe he is not yet ready for the Premier League.

Carrick could also opt for the "best squad" approach, moving Patrick Dorgu, whom he considers more suited to a winger role, back to left-back, or using left-back Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui as rotational substitutes at left-back. Of course, these are ideal scenarios.

Transfer expert Ben Jacobs criticized Ratcliffe's excuses for United's failed transfers: "If United can't achieve their transfer targets, they often cite lack of funds as an explanation. However, before signing Tielemans, they were actually willing to spend heavily, such as up to £75 million for Matheus Fernandes, £85-90 million for Anderson, and £70 million for Tchouameni."