Manchester United have completed a £155m midfield overhaul with the signings of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos (£48m), and Youri Tielemans (£35m), joining Kobbie Mainoo. Manager Michael Carrick's focus now shifts to left-back, where Luke Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season. Shaw, 31, missed just one league start in 44 games but has a concerning injury history, playing only three club games between February 2024 and April 2025.

With a congested fixture list including EFL Cup commitments, United need cover. The club admires Newcastle's Lewis Hall, 21, but the Magpies are reluctant to sell. United's hierarchy has shown unwillingness to overpay this summer.

Financial constraints loom large: third-quarter accounts show £405.75m in outstanding transfer fees, with £171.14m due long-term. The purpose of an additional $125m (£91.64m) borrowing facility remains undisclosed. Baleba's £70m fee equals the Casemiro outlay and is second only to Paul Pogba's £89m club record for a midfielder.

Carrick recently clashed with pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft over perceived lack of passion following a shock opening defeat at Hull.