Manchester United are continuing to monitor Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson also emerging as a potential target as they look to reinforce their options at left-back.
With Tyrell Malacia leaving the club this summer and Patrick Dorgu expected to continue in a more attacking position under Michael Carrick, that just leaves Luke Shaw as the only senior left-back at the club going into next season.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are able to deputise in the position if required but with Champions League football to look forward to, the club will look to strengthen in that position.
As Sky Sports News reported in March, Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is a player United continue to monitor and could look to act on if the opportunity arises.
Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall was omitted from England’s World Cup squad
Hall missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad and with United needing to future-proof their left-back position with Shaw out of contract next summer, he could be a potential option. Newcastle however, would be expected to demand a significant fee for a player they signed for £28m from Chelsea two years ago.
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson is another option for United that has emerged as a potential target at left-back.
The USA international is expected to attract interest once again this summer but it remains to be seen with a new head coach arriving at Craven Cottage whether Robinson is likely to leave the club.
Antonee Robinson has emerged as a potential alternative to Hall
Young left-back Harry Amass could also play a role if he impresses in pre-season. Amass had a strong first-half of the season for Sheffield Wednesday before his season was cut short after picking up an injury at Norwich in January.
He is expected to be with Manchester United’s first-team during pre-season having fully recovered and Sky Sports News understands that all options over the 19-year-old’s future are on the table.
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Back in December, former Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim claimed Harry Amass felt ‘entitled’ after criticising his performances on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, despite winning the Player of the Month award weeks prior
Goalkeeper also on the cards at Old Trafford
A back-up goalkeeper is also on the agenda for Manchester in this window.
With Andrew Onan having returned from his loan at Trabzonspor, he is not expected to have a chance to compete for the No 1 jersey in pre-season and his future is very much seen away from Old Trafford
Neither Andre Onana nor Altay Bayindir are expected to have a future at Manchester United
Turkish keeper Altay Bayindir is also another likely departure as the club will look at potential options to support Senne Lammens after an impressive debut season in goal.
A potential option to back-up Lammens is not expected to include returning keeper Radek Vitek. Czech Republic age-group international Vitek had a successful loan spell at Bristol City last season but is expected to continue his career elsewhere as United are set to cash-in on the 22-year-old.
What’s the argument for Robinson when Hall seems the natural fit?
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop:
Everything about Lewis Hall’s profile screams Manchester United. A young, British talent who is proven at a high level and is ready to take the next step. Those are the exact traits Sir Alex Ferguson would’ve been all over.
The fact Hall didn’t make Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad was also among the biggest shocks. But that could benefit any interested party given that if a move was done quickly, he would be ready at the beginning of pre-season.
That’s not to discredit Robinson at all. He’s Premier League proven and been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in the past. But, at 28, he is only a couple years younger than Shaw. He may well need replacing at a similar age. He is part of the USMNT squad for the World Cup and has struggled with knee injuries over the past couple of seasons.
That, on paper, alongside all the noise surrounding Hall, may make Robinson seem a slightly underwhelming option. But actually, he’s been going about his business in a way that could appeal to Carrick.
Looking at last season’s performances, a couple of things become clear. Firstly, Robinson gets up and down the pitch a lot more than Hall does. He also keeps the width, whereas Hall is more narrow in possession. Having a left-sided full-back remaining wider could be crucial if Matheus Cunha continues to operate as an inside forward off that flank.
Statistically, Robinson also has the edge at both ends of the pitch. Per 90, he created more big chances, made more tackles and interceptions, was better aerially and was dispossessed less often. Yes, Hall won possession back more often higher up the pitch (an appealing characteristic) but given Eddie Howe’s desire for energy and a high press, you’d expect that.
Absolutely, Hall could surpass Robinson in a couple of years and go from strength to strength. However, Patrick Dorgu has potential and is already at the club and could still end up being used more as a defender than a winger. Harry Amass could also develop into a great talent.
United may look at the stats, look at the price and look at who is already on their books and decide what they need is someone with more experience capable of holding down that left-back spot when Shaw isn’t available or is moved on, while allowing the likes of Dorgu and Amass to continue their development.
