Manchester United have kept their options open when it comes to strengthening down the left this summer, but it might be reaching the point where they decide to sharpen their focus towards left-backs.
Wing targets off the table
United have looked at left-wingers during this window, including Morgan Rogers and Crysenscio Summerville, but both are now off the table. Rogers has completed a £117m move to Chelsea and Summerville looks set to move to Al-Hilal, after they agreed a £60m deal with West Ham.
With Marcus Rashford now looking more likely to remain at Old Trafford after the end of the transfer window, United have cooled on the pursuit of a winger. They also have 18-year-old Tynan Thompson to throw into the mix after he agreed a move from Tottenham for a fee of up to £8million.
With Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha also available as options on the left wing, the need to sign a winger has reduced and will only be revisited if Rashford's situation changes.
Left-back depth concerns
That could allow United to ramp up efforts to sign a left-back. Their approach down the left was always considered flexible this summer, with Dorgu capable of playing in both positions, but at this stage, the wing looks better-stocked than left-back.
Luke Shaw is the only real senior option in that position and he played the first half against Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday. Harry Amass came on for the second period and the 19-year-old will get chances to force his way into the first-team squad, although he might benefit from another season out on loan after his spell at Norwich City was wrecked by injury.
Noussaïr Mazraoui can also play at left-back, having done so for Morocco during the World Cup and on occasion for United, but he is also back-up right-back to Diogo Dalot, albeit Leny Yoro played that position last weekend.
It certainly feels like United need more depth at left-back. Shaw started every Premier League game last season, but the 30-year-old has entered the final year of his deal and has a history of fitness issues. A more demanding schedule this season will put extra strain on his body.
Succession planning
United need to consider a succession plan with Shaw. They are likely to wait and see how his season plays out before deciding whether to offer a new deal and on what terms, but at some point in the near future, a new first-choice left-back will be identified.
That role will come too soon for Amass if it happens this season, which is why the club will need to use the transfer market to strengthen. They have looked at younger options, including Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Lewis-Skelly rising to prominence at the Emirates towards the end of the season and Brown heading to Bayern Munich, those two are now off the table, leaving Lewis Hall as the most likely option.
The 21-year-old is admired at Old Trafford, but convincing Newcastle to sell won't be easy in a summer when there is an exodus from St James' Park. There is a feeling that Hall will have to really push to make a move happen.
If that doesn't happen, United might look elsewhere, but with left-wing sliding down the agenda for now, the chances of a signing at left-back are increasing.
