As the transfer deadline passed, Manchester United fans questioned the lack of a new left-back. Luke Shaw remains the only senior orthodox option, having started all 38 league games last season, but at 31, he cannot be expected to sustain that workload in a campaign that could exceed 60 matches. Tyrell Malacia left on a free, and targets like Lewis Hall, Alejandro Balde, and Jorge Salinas were considered but not secured.

United pursued Rayan Ait-Nouri on loan, but Manchester City refused. The club chose to focus on midfield, spending £70m on Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Hall, a preferred target, would cost too much from Newcastle, so United will wait until next summer. Balde was only available for a permanent deal, and Salinas moved to Atletico Madrid.

This leaves Shaw as first-choice left-back, with Noussair Mazraoui as backup, supported by Diogo Dalot and Harry Amass. Amass, a 19-year-old academy product, impressed in pre-season but was nearly allowed to leave, with interest from multiple clubs. His role remains unclear.

Carrick and United now face a calculated gamble until the winter window opens in January, relying on Shaw's fitness and versatile defenders to cover the position.