Man Utd manager Michael Carrick looks on vs Leeds
Manchester United have identified Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson as a viable alternative to Newcastle United's Lewis Hall..
The Red Devils are in the market for a left-sided defender this summer, with Luke Shaw's fitness issues and age a concern, while Michael Carrick has favoured using Patrick Dorgu as a winger. Hall has long been touted as the primary target, and United are said to be willing to go as high as £60 million to secure the England international.
However, it's believed that Newcastle are reluctant to sanction their starting left-back's departure, as they look to stem the mass exodus that has ensued at St. James' Park this summer.
United are therefore lining up alternatives to Hall, and Robinson is seen by the Old Trafford hierarchy as an attainable player who is up to the level.
Man Utd Targeting Antonee Robinson
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Newcastle have sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer, while Bruno Guimaraes is set to join Arsenal in a £75 million deal. On top of this, the Magpies have lost their manager, Eddie Howe, and are now in the process of building a new iteration of the club.
They don't want to lose another key player and also clearly don't need a financial boost. Thus, it's looking increasingly unlikely that Hall will be plying his trade at Old Trafford next season.
According to talkSPORT, Robinson is deemed an adequate candidate to take the mantle at left-back in Carrick's team, and United are subsequently understood to be weighing up a move for the American.
The report claims that the Red Devils could land Robinson for a cut-price deal, or at least for a significantly lower fee than it would take to sign Hall. The 28-year-old has two years left on his deal, so Fulham are approaching the stage where they either have to sell the player or renew his contract.
Marco Silva favoured Ryan Sessegnon at left-back for much of last season, which should boost United's chances of acquiring Robinson. That said, it remains to be seen what the Cottagers' new boss, Alvaro Arbeloa, thinks of cashing in on one of his better players.
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans
Antonee Robinson Would Be a Good Stop-Gap Signing For Man Utd
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Left-back should be deemed a priority for the United hierarchy this summer, and based on the volume of links to players in this position, it seems to be. The notoriously injury-prone Luke Shaw played in every single league match last season, and the likelihood of this happening again next term is incredibly low, particularly with the addition of Champions League football congesting the fixture schedule.
The Englishman needs cover and competition, and Robinson, described previously as ''one of the best left-backs in the Premier League' by Marco Silva,', would arguably be the perfect man to provide this. Not only would he likely cost a minimal amount, but he also wouldn't arrive with the level of pedigree that means he has to play every single minute, as Hall would.
The United States international can rotate in and out with Shaw for a couple of years before moving on. He's the perfect stop-gap solution in the market and would allow United to revisit the Hall situation in an upcoming window.