Manchester United’s failure to sign a left-back during the summer transfer window now looks like an oversight which could be addressed sooner rather than later, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
United considered several options before declining a deadline-day opportunity to take Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri on loan, with the proposed deal carrying a substantial obligation to buy.
United entered deadline day short at left-back
The Red Devils completed significant work in the midfield during the summer while showing greater restraint in the market.
Ornstein said many observers felt United had raised the quality of Michael Carrick’s squad while securing value for money from their new arrivals.
Hall, Lewis-Skelly, Ait-Nouri all entered the picture
Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans arrived from Aston Villa. But then, Ornstein claims that “[Head coach Michael] Carrick’s focus was the left-back first … Newcastle’s Lewis Hall was looked at. Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was looked at as left-back/midfielder,” Ornstein said.
However, no deal was struck and United switched their attention back to midfield to complete the move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. Roma’s Manu Kone had also been linked with a switch to Old Trafford during that stage of the window.
With the budget then largely spent, a final attempt to add a player capable of operating in midfield or at left-back did not produce a signing. “They were offered the opportunity to go for Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri on loan,” Ornstein confirmed. “City would have wanted quite a high obligation to buy. United weren’t prepared to do that, because he isn’t seen as their long-term solution in that position, which shows that left-back was a real area of interest.”
Ornstein added: “I respect that they didn’t want to do something just for the sake of it, which could have come back to haunt them.”
However, he added that the decision “does now look a bit like an oversight” which he suspects will be corrected in the near future.
Carrick’s identity remains under scrutiny
Ornstein also assessed Carrick’s wider work at United, stressing that it remains very early to judge the former midfielder and his coaching staff.
Carrick’s previous management role came with Middlesbrough in the Championship. Ornstein recalled clips of his coaching methods attracting considerable attention during that spell, when he was being discussed as a potentially outstanding young coach.
The focus at United is now on whether Carrick can establish a recognisable game model. Ornstein contrasted the uncertainty surrounding the Red Devils’ identity with the clearer styles associated with Arsenal, Manchester City and successful United sides of previous generations.
He nevertheless believes Carrick has earned patience, saying there is “credit in the bank” for the manager and his staff.
Ornstein concluded: “A bit of measure is needed around our analysis of him and his coaching staff, but it is a legitimate area to scrutinise.”
United therefore appear likely to revisit the left-back market. The eventual choice of target should also offer a clearer indication of how the manager wants his side to develop.
Final Thoughts
- United considered Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly during the summer.
- There seemed to be two changes of direction, from a third midfielder to a left-back, and then back again to Baleba.
- Ornstein says it was “an oversight” and expects United to address the left-back position sooner rather than later.
Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images
