Manchester United's Summer Signings: Baleba Deal and Left-Back Plans

Manchester United open their Premier League campaign at Saturday lunchtime away to newly promoted Hull City, but the real noise around Old Trafford is still coming from the transfer market.

One or more of their new arrivals could be thrown straight in at the MKM Stadium. Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos, brought in from Chelsea, are both pushing hard for starting spots in Michael Carrick’s first XI of the season.

Carrick, now confirmed as permanent manager after steering United back into the Champions League during his interim stint, has already overseen a busy window. It is not over yet.

Carlos Baleba is back on the agenda and looks set to be the next through the door. As reported by MEN Sport, there are still a few details to iron out before that move is completed, but United are confident enough to be mapping out what comes next.

Left-back next on the list

Once Baleba is signed and sealed, United intend to switch their attention to a new left-back, a fifth senior addition of the summer.

Luke Shaw remains first choice and a central figure in Carrick’s plans, but with Champions League football returning, the club hierarchy believe they need more depth and a succession plan on that flank.

Recruitment staff have drawn up a shortlist. Lewis Hall, now at Newcastle after his Chelsea breakthrough, is a leading candidate, while Spaniards Lewis Hall and Jorge Salinas have both been tracked. Alejandro Balde has also been mentioned in connection with United this week, adding another high-profile option to the mix.

Newcastle, though, have taken a firm stance on Hall. Unless they soften that position, United may have to bide their time or pivot quickly. If they do look elsewhere, one of the two Spanish options is likely to jump to the front of the queue.

Arsenal shut door on Lewis-Skelly

One avenue appears closed. Any hope of tempting Myles Lewis-Skelly away from Arsenal has been firmly shut down by Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal manager moved decisively to quash exit talk around the highly rated teenager, insisting the England youth international will “100 per cent” still be at the Emirates Stadium when the window shuts. That stance effectively ends any realistic prospect of a late move from United or Chelsea.

Arteta doubled down on the importance of homegrown talent, stressing how academy products bring an extra layer of connection and value to the club and must be protected, developed and made “extremely important” to Arsenal’s future.

United, then, will have to look elsewhere for their next young midfield project. With Baleba close and a left-back hunt primed to kick on, Carrick’s squad is still evolving – and the window has a few twists left in it yet.