Roy Keane has suggested Lewis Hall is not the solution to Manchester United's left-back dilemma, as the club failed to sign a defender in that position during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils had been looking to add competition for Luke Shaw, but despite attempting to strengthen right up until transfer Deadline Day, no signing was made. Links to Hall, Jorge Salinas and Alejandro Balde did not materialise.
That leaves Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven to cover for Shaw, while youngster Harry Amass provides another option at left-back.
Keane's verdict on Hall
Hall has been on United's radar for some time, but Keane feels the Newcastle player lacks in the defensive department and is “not the answer”.
“I don’t think Hall is the answer. He’s not bad, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think he’s a good defender,” Keane said on the Stick to Football Podcast.
“Of course you want him to be comfortable in possession, of course, but first and foremost, they can defend because that’s what your challenge is now.
“Whatever it is with your attacking players, listen lads, two midfielders and an attacking four, go and win us the game, but we’ve got to be solid defensively, even if it’s sacrificing being good on the ball.”
Late move for Ait-Nouri
Reports suggested Newcastle would be prepared to let the England international go if a bid upwards of £75million was lodged. Other left-backs linked with United during the summer were Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal and Antonee Robinson of Fulham.
With no momentum in the chase of the 21-year-old, United made a surprise late attempt to raid their city rivals with an enquiry to Manchester City about Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Former United and England defender Gary Neville queried: “Was it sloppy with the Rayan Ait-Nouri one, to get dragged into that with two hours to go? It’s not a great look is it?
“Everyone’s been talking about a left-back, centre-back all summer and then with two hours to go you’ve had a nibble.”
Keane's opinion on the reported eleventh hour move for the 25-year-old was that it smacked of “desperation”.
“For a club like United, you shouldn’t be getting too desperate with two hours to go. I wouldn’t be too hard on them but the problem is that when you get desperate at the end.”
