Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is preparing for Premier League action after the summer transfer window closed. His side face Everton on Sunday aiming for back-to-back league wins, but new signing Carlos Baleba will not be available as he recovers from injury.
The club signed three midfielders during the window, yet left-back remains a concern. United held an interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall, but no deal materialised, leaving Luke Shaw short of competition. Carrick prefers to play Patrick Dorgu further forward, in a season where the squad compete on several fronts.
Wes Brown: Hall is the 'real deal'
United icon Wes Brown argued the club made an error by not completing a big-money move for Hall. The 21-year-old was linked with a move to Old Trafford alongside Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Barcelona's Alejandro Balde.
Newcastle reportedly set a £75million asking price for Hall, who stayed at St James' Park. Brown told Oddschecker: "You can see Lewis Hall is the real deal. 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."
Shaw featured in all 38 of United's league games last season but has a history of injury troubles. The club's return to the Champions League will place extra demands on the 31-year-old, with Harry Amass the only other left-back in the squad.
Bradbury completes Stoke move
United academy striker Louie Bradbury has completed a permanent move to Stoke City. The 17-year-old signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year and will join Stoke's youth setup.
Bradbury, a Wales U19 international, scored 10 goals in 24 games for United U18s and U21s last term and netted in the U18s' 3-0 win over Everton last month. Stoke academy director Jack Higgins said: "We are delighted to bring Louie to the club, adding to the crop of exciting strikers we have within the U18s and U21s. Louie joins us at a good age to continue his development and thrive in our environment after some brilliant experiences with Manchester United during the past few years."
