Surprise Man Utd transfer strategy revealed with two more signings expected

28 Aug 2026 16:02 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Manchester United are planning to sign two more players before next week's deadline, but supporters hoping for a big-money deal for Newcastle defender Lewis Hall may ultimately be left disappointed.

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The Red Devils' main priority in the final days of the transfer window is to source a new left-back who can provide competition for Luke Shaw, whose injury history suggests that he won't be able to cope with a full season of Premier League and Champions League football.

Hall is the Red Devils' top target, but Newcastle have made it abundantly clear that he is not for sale. "No chance" was the response from new Magpies boss Matthias Jaissle when asked about a potential sale of the England starlet.

Current ETV

Lewis Hall

D (L)

Newcastle

Lewis Hall

D (L)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€30.5M - €37.2M

Signing Hall would require a gigantic fee, and at this stage, it is not clear whether Man Utd have the financial wiggle room for another big-money recruit after spending €82 million on Carlos Baleba.

It may ultimately have to be a repeat of the Baleba saga, with Man Utd having to wait a year before they can get their man. In the meantime, they could sign a stopgap on loan.

Man Utd to loan left-back and Zirkzee replacement

According to Fabrizio Romano, the most likely scenario for Man Utd at this stage of the window is that the new left-back will be a Sergio Reguilon-style short-term signing rather than a big-money upgrade on Shaw.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer insider predicted a "busy" end to the window for the Old Trafford club and said: "I can guarantee to you that Man Utd are still looking for a solution at left-back. United are working to add a new left-back.

© IMAGO - Man Utd are unlikely to sign Lewis Hall this summer

"I will not be surprised if they end up with a solution for a player who can be almost a guarantee, so maybe not a superstar name like [Alejandro] Balde. They considered Balde, they had a call with Jorge Mendes one week ago, but the deal is too expensive - transfer fee, salary. United are not going to do that, at least not now.

"Just as a comparison, remember when United signed Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham on loan? Something similar. Of course, I'm not saying Reguilon, but that kind of player - experienced left-back who can provide competition, who is also an international profile.

"Man Utd are exploring these kinds of options. Left-back is expected to be an area where Man Utd want to improve before the deadline. I expect them to sign there - and also the striker."

Indeed, it could be the same story for a potential Joshua Zirkzee replacement, with Fiorentina reportedly closing in on a deal to sign the versatile forward on an initial loan with a permanent element.

According to The Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell, Man Utd are likely to look for a stopgap rather than a long-term replacement for the Dutchman. "Loan is what I have heard in terms of incoming," Whitwell revealed.