​Newcastle United could face a tough battle to hold onto Lewis Hall, who appears tempted by the chance to work under Michael Carrick. Hall was widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best left-backs last season; BBC pundit Danny Murphy was right to call him a terrific player, reflecting the quality he displayed. Yet, despite finishing the 2025-26 campaign strongly, Hall found game time limited, and when he did feature, Newcastle often deployed him out of his natural position at right-back. This unusual usage is believed by many to have contributed to his omission from England’s World Cup squad, leaving the 21-year-old frustrated with head coach Eddie Howe and the club’s management.
As a result, talk of Hall leaving St James’ Park has intensified, with Manchester United frequently linked as a potential destination. However, with Old Trafford concentrating on strengthening midfield options, those links have cooled somewhat—though they are unlikely to disappear for long, especially if Hall himself continues to push for a move.
TeamTalk’s latest coverage of United’s left-back search, prompted by Luke Shaw’s non-stop availability, paints a clear picture of Hall’s appeal: sources indicate the 21-year-old views the prospect of working under Carrick and establishing himself at United as hugely attractive. Hall is understood to be open to arriving to compete with Shaw, with the longer-term goal of eventually succeeding the England international as United’s first-choice left-back. This potential pathway is highlighted as a major selling point, and it aligns with a broader shift in United’s squad planning, according to insiders.
Inside information suggests INEOS are prioritising players who actively want to join their project. Targets such as Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes did not share that immediate desire and were not pursued. By contrast, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans expressed their wish to sign for United and subsequently secured moves to the club. Now, with Hall showing a clear appetite to move, there appears little to stop the 20-time English champions from acting, particularly given reports that Hall is Carrick’s preferred defensive option this summer.
In the end, a successful signing could see Hall and Shaw forge a formidable left-back pairing, giving Manchester United a long-term solution in that position. Securing Hall would not only resolve a current weakness but also provide the club with a valuable asset for years to come.