Manchester United transfer news: Antonee Robinson identified as priority left-back target
Manchester United transfer news: Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, but Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has now surfaced as a primary target for the left-back slot. Sky Sports journalists Danyal Khan, James Cole, and Amar Mehta broke the story, reporting that United view the 28-year-old United States international as a priority signing this summer. Born in Liverpool but eligible for the USMNT through his family, Robinson has spent the last four seasons cementing his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable, high-energy full-backs.
The move comes down to numbers. It is a bare squad. Tyrell Malacia is packing his bags this summer, and Michael Carrick prefers using Patrick Dorgu in a more advanced, attacking role. That leaves Luke Shaw. Just Shaw. He turns 31 in July. True, he managed all 38 Premier League games last term, arguably his finest run since joining the club in 2014, but banking on his fitness for a gruelling Champions League campaign is a massive gamble. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can fill in, obviously. But Manchester United want a proper specialist.
Fulham won’t play ball easily. Robinson is under contract at Craven Cottage until June 2028, meaning the London club will demand top dollar. Transfermarkt pins his market value around €35.7 million. Liverpool did look at him recently, but they pulled back, apparently deciding he doesn’t fit the age profile for their current recruitment model. That removes one major rival from the race.
Does the Fulham man actually fit Carrick’s system?
Not perfectly. Let’s be real about that. But he is easily the most practical option on the market right now.
Carrick sets United up in a fluid 4-2-3-1. They love playing through the lines, relying on two ball-hungry central pivots, while the wide players stretch the pitch. When the full-back bombs forward, a central midfielder drops to cover the space. It is a demanding role. The left-back needs intense defensive discipline, but he must also possess the lungs and quality to overlap whenever a gap opens up. Robinson can do both.
Look at the data. The American racked up 10 Premier League assists during the 2024-25 season, matching the fourth-highest tally in the division. He delivers brilliant final-third production from deep positions, something Carrick’s possession-heavy setup desperately needs.
Then there is the catch. The 2025-26 campaign was a bit of a nightmare for him. Knee issues plagued his season, limiting him to just 22 league appearances. You can bet United’s medical department will pore over those scans before any formal paperwork gets drafted.
Read: Report – Man Utd closing in on summer move for £50m winger
Carrick hates wasting width. He wants central overloads, turning to the flanks only when the middle is completely choked out. Robinson’s knack for arriving late to whip in crosses fits this perfectly. He is aggressive. At 28, he bridges the gap. He is mature enough to push Shaw immediately, yet young enough to take over the mantle permanently as Shaw’s minutes inevitably decrease. The profile makes complete sense, provided his knee holds up, and Fulham lower their demands.
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