Paul Scholes Calls on Manchester United to Sign Newcastle Defender Lewis Hall After Luke Shaw's Struggles
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged the club to make a late move for Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall, who is valued at around £75 million. This comes after watching Luke Shaw struggle defensively during United’s recent Premier League matches.
Defensive Concerns Highlighted by Scholes
Scholes believes that strengthening the defense is urgent. Despite United’s thrilling 5-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, he expressed concerns about the team's defensive performance under interim manager Michael Carrick.
“I think United would have taken going 1-0 down, the way they played in the first half. It could have been two or three,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. “What we saw yesterday sums up what you’re going to get from United. They could have been two or three down but also, in the second half, they were devastating.”
Price Tag and Transfer Window Pressure
Lewis Hall has been a long-term target for United's recruitment team, but Newcastle have insisted he is off-limits. However, reports suggest the Magpies might reconsider if a bid of £75 million or more arrives before the transfer deadline.
Scholes pointed out that Shaw’s tough game against Ipswich winger Abdul Fatawu might push Carrick to seek reinforcements urgently. “That will have been going on for months, not just the last couple of days,” Scholes noted. “One thing that might help Michael is Shaw’s performance yesterday. He might say, ‘We need him,’ and Hall could be the most realistic option available.”
Rio Ferdinand Offers Support for Shaw
In contrast to Scholes’ call for immediate replacement, former defender Rio Ferdinand took a more cautious stance. Acknowledging Shaw’s poor showing against Ipswich, Ferdinand emphasized the left-back’s consistency over the past year.
“Some fans were saying, ‘Shaw, get rid!’ but over the last year, he’s been one of our most consistent performers,” Ferdinand shared on his YouTube channel. “If we want to bring in a left-back, it should be someone to gradually replace Shaw, not an instant fix. You won’t find someone ready to slot in right away.”
Manchester United Eyeing Other Left-Back Options
With the transfer window closing soon, Manchester United have explored alternatives aside from Hall. If the price tag proves too high, the club has scouted several other players across Europe to fill the left-back spot.
- Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton)
- Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa)
- Jorge Salinas (Racing Santander)
A loan deal might be the most feasible route, especially since the club has already invested heavily in midfield signings this summer.
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