Manchester United told how they could have signed Lewis Hall this summer | OneFootball

Left-back was Man Utd’s priority transfer target during summer window

Manchester United will live to regret to signing “real deal” Lewis Hall this summer, according to former defender Wes Brown.

Man Utd made the left back position a key area to strengthen during the summer transfer window, as Michael Carrick looked to boost his options and help the aging Luke Shaw with the club back in the Champions League.

Having been linked with names like Barcelona Alejandro Balde, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Hall emerged as the first-choice target.

However, Newcastle did not play ball. Having already lost their three best players in Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes, Hall was not allowed to leave this summer despite reports a £75million bid may have tested their resolve.

"You can see Lewis Hall is the real deal,” Brown told Oddschecker. “He's young and he's definitely a player you could bring into United who would fit in really well.

“So, I would have definitely paid the fee for him. He would be a great fit. Luke is still a tremendous player but there's always that question mark over his injury record."

Wes Brown with Michael Carrick last month

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Having missed out on the Hall deal, Man Utd were also knocked back with an 11th-hour enquiry for Rayan Ait-Nouri of bitter rivals Manchester City, which means Diogo Dalot is left as the only natural back-up option for Shaw.

Hall was not the only transfer target Brown wished his former side snapped out.

He continued: "Tchouameni is an excellent player, lots of experience. His performances have been up and down at Real Madrid, but at the same time, I think he would have been excellent at Manchester United. He covers the pitch well and has great quality. He's played in all the big games but again, it would have all come down to the price."

Ultimately the deciding factor for a player of Tchouameni’s calibre was reported as being wage demands and Michael Carrick’s team went on to sign Carlos Baleba instead. The Cameroon international joined Man Utd from Brighton in a deal worth up to £70m.

Adam Wharton was another player Brown mentioned, labelling the Crystal Palace man a “complete player”.

He added: “I still think he's a player with great quality... He gets the ball, he can pass forward. He can tackle, he's young and if you can get him at the right price, I think he would have been a brilliant buy."