Man Utd ready to abandon pursuit of top target to focus on World Cup star
Manchester United are poised to give up on their pursuit of Lewis Hall and are reportedly considering Fulham’s Antonee Robinson as an alternative to the Newcastle left-back.
The Red Devils have addressed the club’s number one priority this summer having bolstered their midfield with the addition of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined fee of around £83million.
But United’s ambitions in the transfer market are yet to be fulfilled, with Old Trafford bosses determined to further close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City after their end-of-season resurgence under Michael Carrick.
Left-back has now been identified as the primary area of focus at the Theatre of Dreams given Luke Shaw is currently the only senior member of the squad who specialises in the position.
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It is no secret that Newcastle and England defender Hall finds himself at the top of United’s shortlist of targets for the role after three outstanding years at St James’ Park.
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The sought-after 21-year-old, who came through Chelsea’s academy, is believed to be ‘keen’ on the idea of a move to United in the wake of Eddie Howe’s sudden departure at Newcastle.
However, the Magpies have reportedly ruled out a summer deal for Hall, deeming the young England international to be an ‘untouchable’ member of the squad given his age and contract situation.
According to talkSPORT, this could, in turn, see United switch their attentions to Fulham star Robinson, 28, as a significantly cheaper plan B following the full-back’s impressive World Cup showing with the United States.
Robinson has been a stalwart for Fulham over the last six years, making a total of 215 appearances in all competitions and helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League in 2022.
His current contract with the Cottagers runs through to June 2028.
The only other out-and-out left-back in Carrick’s squad, Harry Amass, is likely to leave United on loan again this summer with a view to getting regular first-team minutes under his belt.
The 19-year-old, a product of United’s academy, shone on loan at Sheffield United in the first half of last season, but saw a temporary spell with Norwich City cut short after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in January.
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Patrick Dorgu had initially been brought to United as a left-back in early 2025, but has excelled in a more advanced position under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.
Robinson and Hall are not the only left-backs to have been linked with the Red Devils in recent months, with Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas also understood to be on the club’s radar.
United bosses are said to be ‘very serious’ about Salinas in particular having closely monitored the teenager’s performances at this year’s Under-19 European Championship.
Salinas has a €16m (£13.7m) release clause at Racing Santander and is also attracting strong interest from La Liga champions Barcelona.
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/06/man-utd-ready-abandon-pursuit-top-target-focus-world-cup-star-29315735/