Manchester United somehow ended the summer transfer window without signing a new left-back to give Luke Shaw competition.
The Red Devils headed into the summer with a clear focus on a midfield rebuild following Casemiro's departure. Beyond that, there had been a glaring need to move for a left-back as Tyrell Malacia left, and the club continues to handle youngster Harry Amass carefully.
Lewis Hall emerged late in the window as the top target to compete with Shaw for a place in Michael Carrick's team. Their interest in the Englishman didn't go far, though, as Newcastle United made clear they had no intention of selling.
Luke Shaw Fitness Concerns Raise Alarm Bells For Manchester United
Hall is reportedly now set to sign a new contract with Newcastle and is believed to have been impressed by new manager Matthias Jaissle, per Ben Jacobs. The likelihood of Manchester United pursuing him next summer has decreased as a result.
The issue for Michael Carrick is that Shaw is now the only viable left-back option in his squad. As soon as the 31-year-old picks up an injury, it could prove disastrous, and given his track record, his fitness will be a concern.
Shaw is set to sit out tomorrow night's Champions League encounter with Sabah FK at Old Trafford. It is astonishing that INEOS opted not to look elsewhere once a move for Hall failed.
The timing of tomorrow's game against the Azerbaijani minnows isn't ideal either. A meeting with Manchester City at home comes just three days later.
Carrick has insisted he's 'not concerned' and said while it's obviously not ideal, it is 'something that we’ve given too much thought to.'
Speaking ahead of the Sabah clash he also touched on Shaw (via SunSport):
"We just gave him an extra recovery date today. So we’ll obviously see by tomorrow how he is. But it’s not an ongoing thing or a plan or anything like that. It was just off the back of the game the other day."
Carrick must surely be wondering why his transfer chiefs didn't decide to strengthen at left-back given the obvious need to do so. They achieved their main objective to overhaul his midfield with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
With three central midfielders arriving, maybe United were better off signing two alongside a left-back. There were some interesting options available, including El Hadji Malick Diouf, who joined Brentford from West Ham United for £40m.
Manchester United Rebuild Under Scrutiny
United seem intent on conducting a rebuild in stages, focusing on attack, midfield, and then defense. They addressed the frontline last summer when they signed Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Another trio have joined this time around and all of them play in the middle of the park. While INEOS have been more sensible in the market, they are perhaps playing it too safe when other areas of Carrick's squad need urgent attention.
