Lewis Hall remains Manchester United's top left-back target
Manchester United’s search for a new left-back keeps circling back to one name: Lewis Hall.
Newcastle’s England defender remains the priority target, even after Arsenal offered teenage prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly as a potential solution. United have been made aware of the 19-year-old’s availability, but Hall is still the one generating the strongest interest inside Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old is also on board. Hall is understood to be keen on the move, open to leaving St James’ Park for Old Trafford after a chaotic summer on Tyneside that has already seen Eddie Howe depart along with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle’s hierarchy are digging their heels in. They insist Hall is not for sale and manager Matthias Jaissle is determined to avoid another key exit. But Hall’s frustrations go back to the Howe era, with the left-back believing tactical choices contributed to him missing out on England’s 2026 World Cup squad. With United back in the Champions League and Michael Carrick demanding more depth on the left, the pressure around this deal is only growing.
Rooney joins new United podcast project
Off the pitch, a familiar face is stepping back into the Manchester United spotlight. Wayne Rooney has agreed to front a new podcast, Stick to United, alongside prominent fan Mark Goldbridge.
The 50-episode show will focus solely on United and will sit alongside Gary Neville’s The Overlap after Disney+ struck a multi-million-pound deal for the former defender’s media brand. Rooney and Goldbridge’s series will run in tandem with Neville’s Stick to Football, which continues to feature Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Ian Wright and Roy Keane.
Episodes will be available on Disney+ and YouTube, with subscribers given early access to 20 exclusive shows before they go public.
Mee forces his way into goalkeeping conversation
On the pitch, one of the quieter names in United’s pre-season squad has suddenly made himself heard.
Dermot Mee stepped off the bench at Croke Park against Leeds, replaced Senne Lammens and then turned into the hero of the shootout. The 23-year-old saved a crucial spot-kick as United edged it 5-4, giving Carrick something to think about in the pecking order behind new signing Karl Darlow and veteran Tom Heaton.
“Being able to have that extra bit of adrenaline at the end there, just gets you that extra few inches and helps you make a save,” Mee told BBC Sport NI.
Lammens is still expected to be first understudy, but Mee’s display could earn him minutes in the domestic cups.
United fight to keep teenage goal machine JJ Gabriel
Behind the first team, United are scrambling to protect one of the brightest prospects in their academy.
JJ Gabriel, just 15, has drawn serious attention from Chelsea and several clubs across Europe after smashing in 29 goals in 32 appearances for the Under-18s. Chelsea are thought to be the most serious challenger, but United remain confident they can tie him down once he is eligible to sign scholarship terms in October.
For a club that has built its identity on homegrown stars, losing such a prolific youngster would sting. Old Trafford officials are working to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Camavinga shuts the door on Old Trafford
Not every pursuit is alive. Eduardo Camavinga has effectively closed the door on a move to United.
The Athletic reports that Real Madrid have at least considered a sale amid interest from Old Trafford, but the 23-year-old has made his stance clear: he wants to stay at the Bernabeu, regardless of who comes calling.
United would face a huge battle even if they did try to test Madrid’s resolve. For now, Camavinga remains firmly part of their plans and any Old Trafford switch looks remote.
Kukonki to sign pro deal before loan move
One young defender, though, is set to stay put – at least on paper.
Godwill Kukonki, the 6ft 5in centre-back, is expected to remain at United this summer after talks with club chiefs. The 18-year-old has been missing from pre-season action, prompting speculation about his future, especially with no professional contract signed despite this being his third scholarship year.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Kukonki has opted against leaving and could now sign his first pro deal before heading out on loan. Championship sides Southampton, Birmingham City and Norwich are interested, and there is Premier League attention too. Michael Carrick is understood to rate him highly, with a loan potentially setting up a first-team push around the 2027/28 season.
Barthez returns with France – and stirs United memories
Fabien Barthez is back in the France set-up. The former Manchester United goalkeeper has been appointed as the national team’s new goalkeeping coach, joining forces with Zinedine Zidane.
The pair were central figures in France’s golden era, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 together. Barthez won 87 caps before retiring from international duty in 2006 and, for United supporters, his new role also revives memories of Sir Alex Ferguson bringing him in from Monaco in 2000.
He will now oversee France’s keepers under Zidane as the new regime takes shape.
Ethan Williams swaps Old Trafford for Peterborough
One academy product has decided his future lies away from United.
Ethan Williams has completed a permanent move to Peterborough United, signing a long-term deal and taking the No10 shirt at the League One club.
The 20-year-old winger featured in United’s pre-season, scoring in the 5-0 win over Rosenborg, and previously gained experience on loan at Falkirk and Cheltenham.
“I have been out on loan at a couple of clubs, have gained a lot of experience of men’s football and felt it was the right time to leave United and sign for Peterborough,” Williams said.
Rashford closing in on pre-season minutes
Marcus Rashford is edging back towards the pitch in United colours.
Michael Carrick hinted that the forward could feature against AC Milan in their next pre-season friendly, despite only being back in training for a few days.
“He’s our player, and he’s come back great,” Carrick told ITV after the win over Leeds. “I’ve known Marcus a long time, and he gives us something a little bit different, and he’s been in great spirit since he’s been back.”
AC Milan are now managed by Ruben Amorim, the former United boss who sanctioned Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa in January 2025. The reunion would add another layer to what is already an intriguing pre-season storyline.
United’s summer business so far
United’s rebuild has already been busy. Six permanent signings and two free transfers have come through the door.
Karl Darlow arrived from Leeds United on a free, while goalkeeper Kit Margetson joined from Swansea City without a fee. Midfielder Cristian Orozco has signed from Fortaleza CEIF and Andrey Santos has made a permanent switch from Chelsea.
Defender Tynan Thompson has come in from Tottenham, and Youri Tielemans has joined from Aston Villa in a deal that has drawn widespread praise.
Spurs urged to move for Rashford
Outside Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford’s name refuses to leave the gossip columns.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has publicly urged Spurs to test United’s resolve and bid for the England forward, with the London club hunting for a new left-sided attacker. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is another option, but O’Hara believes Rashford should be the priority.
“I just don’t know why we don’t go for Marcus Rashford. I really think that Spurs should just go, how much do you want? How much can we get him for?” he told Sky Sports.
“If you get him at it with a point to prove, I just think he’s still one of the best players around. I think De Zerbi is the perfect man-manager for someone like Rashford. He’s a manager who will get the best out of him. I think he’d be a good signing.”
Tresoldi, Wharton and a crowded midfield market
United’s recruitment team are also deep in conversations across Europe.
At Club Brugge, Nicolo Tresoldi has caught the eye. The Germany Under-21 striker is on the radar of United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Barcelona. With the striker market inflated and unpredictable, Tresoldi’s price – around €45-50million (£39-43m) after Roma saw a €35m bid rejected – has not scared off the biggest clubs.
For United, he would be competition for Benjamin Sesko, but any move may hinge on Joshua Zirkzee being sold. Barcelona are said to be accelerating their interest.
In midfield, United are back in the race for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. They see the 20-year-old as a controller who can carry the ball, dictate tempo and steady games from the centre. Chelsea and Real Madrid are also watching closely. Palace, though, have put a huge €100million (£86m) valuation on him. United are believed to be willing to go to around £70m, a gap that is slowing talks.
Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly enters the frame
Arsenal, meanwhile, have offered Myles Lewis-Skelly to United as they look to recoup some of the money spent on Bruno Guimaraes.
The Guardian reports that Chelsea have also been informed of the 19-year-old’s availability, with his value thought to be around £45m. For now, United still see Hall as their preferred left-back option, but Lewis-Skelly gives them another angle as they weigh up defensive reinforcements.
Villa target former United full-back Wan-Bissaka
A familiar right-back could also be on the move.
Aston Villa have held talks with West Ham over a potential £25m deal for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to The Athletic.
The defender spent five years at United from 2019 to 2024 after joining from Crystal Palace and has since rebuilt his career at West Ham. Villa are assessing their full-back options and see the 28-year-old’s defensive strengths as an attractive fit.
Newcastle eye Baleba – and cross paths with United again
Newcastle and United could collide again in the market over Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
The Daily Mail reports that Newcastle have the Cameroon international on their shortlist. United chased Baleba last summer and remain admirers, so any concrete move from St James’ Park would likely be monitored closely at Old Trafford.
Lamine Camara draws Premier League pack
In Monaco, another midfielder is drawing Premier League attention.
United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Liverpool are all tracking Lamine Camara, according to Footmercato. The 22-year-old could be the next major departure from Monaco after Maghnes Akliouche’s move to PSG.
Monaco are thought to want around €50m (£43m) and will demand that figure is met before agreeing a sale. If United choose to push, they will not be alone.
Tielemans hailed as ‘signing of the summer’
One midfield deal already done has been widely applauded.
Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster has labelled Youri Tielemans the “signing of the summer” on talkSPORT.
“I’ve watched a load of transfers happen, Tottenham spending a lot of money, Arsenal have just spent a lot of money, but I still think Youri Tielemans is the signing of the summer so far,” Foster said.
“For £30m (£35m), whatever it was, he is a ready-made, good-to-go, starting XI player and if you can spend that money on a ready-to-go starter then it’s worth every single penny.”
Foster still believes United need one more major addition up front. “I still think they need that one focal point striker, that one big boy striker. The problem is, where are you going to get it from? And it’s going to cost you £100m, it’s the way it goes nowadays.”
Bruno Fernandes under the spotlight at Croke Park
At Croke Park against Leeds, all eyes drifted towards one man.
Bruno Fernandes came off the bench to a huge reception, had a goal ruled out for offside and then rattled the crossbar. He later missed in the penalty shootout, but United still edged it 5-4 thanks to Noussair Mazraoui.
Beyond the pre-season theatre, Fernandes’ future remains a live issue. Juventus, AC Milan and Galatasaray are all reportedly interested, and his contract is running down towards its 2027 expiry.
United must soon decide whether to build the next phase around him or cash in before his value dips.
Jackson tipped as United’s £65m striker option
Up front, another name has been thrown into the mix.
Former United midfielder Quinton Fortune believes Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson could be an answer as United look for more competition for Sesko. Jackson is understood to be available this summer, and Fortune likes what he offers.
“Nicolas Jackson is an option for Manchester United. He’s just an out-and-out striker,” he said. “He doesn’t really care about anything else apart from getting into the box and getting on the end of whatever service he’s provided, and there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s still the hardest part of the game.”
Any move, again, could depend on Joshua Zirkzee leaving.
Rashford back, and staying – for now
Carrick has moved to cool some of the noise around Rashford’s future.
“Rashford is our player and he’s come back great,” he said. “I’ve known him a long time and he gives us something a little bit different. We’re looking forward to the start of the season.”
After loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona over the last 18 months, Rashford now looks increasingly likely to be part of United’s squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
Hall pushing, Salinas clause looming
Back at left-back, the picture is clear.
Lewis Hall is pushing for a move to United, even as Newcastle insist he is not for sale. United have already made an approach to understand the conditions of a deal, and Hall’s desire to leave adds another layer of tension to a club already bruised by high-profile exits.
At the same time, United and Barcelona are circling Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas. Racing sporting director Chema Aragon revealed that a £12m-plus offer has already been rejected, with the club adamant they will only sell if his €16m release clause is met.
“A club has offered €14m for Jorge Salinas, and Racing have rejected it,” Aragon said. “His release clause is €16 million, and the club will not budge from that figure.”
Salinas is under contract until 2029 after helping Racing win promotion to La Liga last season. If United want him, they know the price. If they want Hall, they know the fight. The question now is how bold they are prepared to be.
