Manchester United have made left-back their main transfer priority after deliberately slowing their summer business to assess Michael Carrick’s squad through pre-season.
Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic reports that United decided to take stock following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans rather than immediately committing to another major signing.
Certain opportunities have also required patience as situations develop elsewhere in the market.
United are now ready to address the remaining weaknesses in Carrick’s squad, with left-back emerging as the leading priority and midfield another position the club would still like to strengthen.
Perhaps most significantly, United see considerable appeal in finding one player capable of covering both positions.
Man Utd left-back transfer could solve two Carrick problems
That requirement provides a clearer picture of what United are actually searching for during the closing stages of the window.
Carrick already has Luke Shaw available on the left, but United have spent much of the summer assessing longer-term alternatives. ReadManUtd previously examined why Lewis Hall fitted the profile Carrick wanted at left-back, with the Newcastle defender capable of operating inside rather than exclusively holding the touchline.
Finding somebody who could also step into midfield would give Carrick greater tactical flexibility without requiring United to complete two expensive deals.
Midfield has not disappeared from the agenda either.
Santos and Tielemans transformed Carrick’s options earlier in the window, but ReadManUtd reported that United were still considering a third midfield addition after completing the £83m double deal.
Whitwell’s update helps explain why that move has not followed quickly.
Rather than abandoning the search, United have used pre-season to assess what Carrick already has and determine where the remaining budget can make the biggest difference.
The emergence of a hybrid left-back and midfielder profile could now influence which targets United pursue.
Carrick is reportedly privately pushing for at least one more arrival and potentially two, but securing the right versatile player could allow United to address both remaining areas with a single signing.
