lewis-hall-newcastle
It would feel very modern-day Manchester United if the Red Devils prove unable to poach Lewis Hall from the sinking St James' Park ship this summer.
From Sandro Tonali, to Eddie Howe, to Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle United's key men are all abandoning their posts, with a new era seemingly beginning on Tyneside.
Unsurprisingly, amid those exits, the sale of Hall now appears unlikely, with those at Old Trafford perhaps set to be stung by their failure to strike a deal earlier in the window.
REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
The 21-year-old might yet prove another marquee name whom INEOS miss out on this summer, having seen Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes move elsewhere. In Hall's case, at least, United do boast in-house solutions.
Why signing Lewis Hall isn't essential for Man Utd
There's no denying that Michael Carrick can't rely on Luke Shaw alone this season, even with the 31-year-old starting all 38 Premier League games in 2025/26.
Manchester United's Luke Shaw reacts after sustaining an injury
History would suggest that another spell on the sidelines is right around the corner for the long-serving left-back, or even if not, he'll need adequate cover amid the return of Champions League football.
Signing Hall would make sense, therefore, although there has been talk that he could fetch upwards of £70m, a colossal fee considering United still have other areas to address, be it at centre-forward, left-wing or central midfield.
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Hall vs Shaw - 25/26 PL
Hall
30 (24)
1
1
5
0.8
85%
1.2
13.5
0.5
2.7
Equally, too, there is a growing feeling that Carrick should hand a chance to academy starlet, Harry Amass, the 21-year-old again impressing in pre-season, having notably scored in the 5-0 win over Rosenborg.
Tipped to be Shaw's successor by Shaw himself in the past, Amass sparkled out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday at the start of last season, before injury curtailed his progress following a subsequent move to Norwich City.
There has since been talk of another temporary exit or even a £6m permanent sale, with fears creeping in that this could be a case of Alvarez Carreras mark two, the Spaniard overlooked by Erik ten Hag only to have since ended up at Real Madrid.
With the versatile Patrick Dorgu also in the mix too, as well as Noussair Mazraoui, there is certainly depth in the left-back department, with INEOS still needing to solve their key issue - that elusive third midfielder.
Man Utd handed boost in hopes of signing £50m Premier League star
Has this summer been far too quiet at Old Trafford, or should United fans be revelling in this rare, serene calm?
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts after the match
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick reacts after the match
That's the ongoing debate, although what is clear is that while the club's Premier League rivals continue to strengthen extensively, amid Guimaraes' move to Arsenal, the Red Devils do risk being left behind.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been snapped up, yet with Manuel Ugarte sidelined and Casemiro out the door, midfield options are still slim, even with Mason Mount looking prime Paul Scholes in pre-season.
tyler-adams-bournemouth
Another addition is required, and that man might be Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, with journalist Ben Jacobs - speaking to the United Stand - revealing that the American is "keen" to move to Manchester.
"Tyler Adams is one possibility. They looked at him in January. Remember, with Tyler Adams, there's no guarantee that this reported number of 35 million is the price.
"Player would be keen on a move to Manchester United though. But my information is, although Adams is not unsellable, the number would probably be closer to the 50 million mark rather than in and around the 35 million which has found its way out into the media."
Now, this isn't the marquee signing that many may be craving, but Adams is another proven Premier League operator, someone who could directly fill Casemiro's void at the base of the midfield.
Manchester United's Casemiro
As stated, United do already have options at left-back, but there isn't a true defensive-minded midfielder in the senior ranks, amid Ugarte's injury, with even Santos more of a progressive, front-foot option.
If money is to be spent then, pursuing Adams over Hall could be a wise bet, the Cherries star such a force when fit and firing, mopping up so effectively for both club and country.
Something of an unsung hero at times, the 27-year-old scored and assisted four goals in 21 starts in last season's Premier League, while averaging 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game, only just behind Casemiro's 3.5 average.
He's neat and tidy in midfield, as his 87% pass accuracy showcases, someone who could allow the attacking talents of Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes to flourish ahead of him.
His time in England has been hampered by injury at times, but looking back to his spell at Leeds United provides further reason for encouragement, as Adams initially filled Kalvin Phillips' void at Elland Road.
In 24 starts in that 2022/23 season, before his campaign was curtailed, he was averaging a stellar 5.2 tackles per game, alongside one key pass per game, the real driving force in the centre of the park.
Ampadu-Leeds-Marsch-Adams-Farke
"Every team needs a Tyler Adams", is the view of Bournemouth legend Steve Fletcher, with there certainly a role for him to fulfil under Carrick's watch.
Someone is needed to do the dirty work and the leg work, and the United States star might well be that, perhaps the missing piece of the puzzle as far as Carrick's midfield unit is concerned.
Hall, as talented as he is, just isn't the priority when the midfield remains too light.
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha