
United monitoring Hall as LB option with Fulham's Robinson also a target
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.
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.
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.
Man Utd exploring midfield and forward targets
Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man Utd news & transfers🔴
Got Sky? Watch Man Utd games LIVE on your phone📱
Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
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.
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.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A back-up goalkeeper is also on the agenda for Manchester in this window.
With Andre Onana 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
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.
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.
Continue with Matchday Global
Source: Sky Sports Football
More stories

Report: John Stones on Juventus radar after Man City departure

Segunda play-offs decided as Mirandes become final side to be relegated

Aurelien Tchouameni opens up on Fede Valverde altercation, denies punch
