Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Manchester United Rebuilds Midfield but Leaves Left-Back Position Exposed
Manchester United wanted to improve its midfield this summer.
It signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
Together, the three midfielders cost up to about £155 million.
The club did not sign a new specialist left-back.
United tried to ask Newcastle about Lewis Hall, but Newcastle said he was not for sale.
Other possible left-back deals also failed or were abandoned.
Harry Amass stayed instead of leaving on loan.
This means Luke Shaw’s main cover will come from players who usually play in other positions.
Manchester United spent about £155 million on three midfielders during the summer transfer window.
Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba completed the club’s midfield rebuild.
The club made no deadline-day signing and remains without a new specialist senior left-back.
Newcastle rejected United’s interest in Lewis Hall, while approaches for other left-backs did not develop.
Harry Amass stayed at United, leaving Luke Shaw’s cover to Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot.
- Who
- Manchester United, led in its transfer planning by chief executive Omar Berrada, signed three midfielders and pursued left-backs.
- What
- The club completed a midfield rebuild but closed the summer window without signing a specialist senior left-back.
- When
- During the summer transfer window, including deadline day; no exact dates were provided.
- Where
- The transfer activity involved Manchester United and negotiations with clubs including Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle.
- Why
- United prioritized midfield after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury, while Newcastle refused to sell Lewis Hall and other left-back options did not work out.
Midfield-First Strategy
Left-Back Risk
Transfer priorities
Midfield-First Strategy
United’s approach was to use three comparatively priced midfielders to improve the squad rather than commit to one blockbuster fee.
Left-Back Risk
The club finished the window with Luke Shaw as its only specialised senior left-back, leaving a clear position exposed.
Lewis Hall pursuit
Midfield-First Strategy
United accepted Newcastle’s decision that Hall was not for sale and kept open the possibility of trying again next summer.
Left-Back Risk
The failure to sign Hall meant United had to rely on Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot for Shaw cover, with other players available only in emergencies.
Late-window deals
Midfield-First Strategy
United avoided deals it did not consider suitable, including a permanent move for Rayan Ait-Nouri and a late loan departure for Joshua Zirkzee without a replacement.
Left-Back Risk
The cautious approach also meant the club ended the window without resolving its specialist left-back shortage or moving Zirkzee on.
- Total spending
- About £155 million
- Midfield signings
- Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba
- Andrey Santos fee
- £48 million plus £2 million in add-ons
- Youri Tielemans fee
- £35 million release clause
- Carlos Baleba fee
- Package worth up to £70 million
- Specialist left-back signing
- None
- Goalkeeper signing
- Karl Darlow joined Leeds on a free transfer as cover for Senne Lammens