Manchester United are in the market for new signings and have got another deal over the line for Michael Carrick as they look to bounce back
Manchester United are working hard to lift spirits at the club by bringing in some new summer signings.
Michael Carrick’s men got off to a dreadful start to the new Premier League season with a humiliating 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City away at the MKM Stadium. The morale-damaging defeat highlighted the urgent need for additions to the Red Devils squad, particularly in defence.
New midfield acquisitions Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos played in the loss to the Championship play-off final victors and will soon be joined in the engine room of Carrick’s team by Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, after United agreed a £70m package for the star. But the club don’t appear to have finished their business yet, before the transfer window slams shut on September 1. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Lewis Hall transfer stance clear
Newcastle’s new manager Matthias Jaissle has seemingly dismissed the prospect of Lewis Hall making his way to Old Trafford this summer, reports the Mirror.
United have been strongly connected with Hall following the 21-year-old England international’s outstanding performances for the Magpies – aside from on Sunday when he cost his team two points as his error handed Liverpool a late penalty in a 2-2 draw.
Legendary United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel raised the transfer rumours surrounding Hall when speaking with Jaissle after the clash.
Schmeichel said to Jaissle after the match: “We’re [Manchester United] after your left-back.”
However, the newly-appointed Newcastle manager Jaissle issued a firm response: “No chance! No chance!” The German gaffer seemed adamant Hall is not on his way to join Carrick’s team.
The Magpies have already offloaded key players during the transfer window, with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes making high-profile exits, and it’s thought they would demand at least £70m for Hall if he were to be sold.
Defender ‘in talks’ over future
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was reportedly due to hold discussions with Alejandro Balde on Monday following reports casting doubt over the defender’s future at the club.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a switch to United and was omitted from Barcelona’s matchday squad against Elche on Sunday.
Spanish outlet Sport reported Flick and Balde were set to have a “face-to -face meeting” on Monday after the full-back was left out of the 5-0 triumph over Elche.
It’s suggested the talks could “open the door” for the defender to depart the Catalan club if the situation remains unresolved, with Sport claiming that Barcelona bosses are willing to cash in on Balde for around £38m as they look to raise funds.
The report says Flick is keen to retain Balde but wants the player to show determination to fight his way back into the side. Meanwhile, Barcelona already have Joao Cancelo, Xavi Espart and Gerard Martin as potential left-back replacements, should Balde decide to leave Camp Nou.
When questioned about his choice to exclude the defender, Flick stated: “I spoke with Alejandro Balde today and said to him that I think you’re not here 100%, so it’s best that you stay at home and clear your mind. We will talk again tomorrow.”
He added: “He’s a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position.
“That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play.”