Manchester United are one game closer to the new Premier League season, with Michael Carrick's first pre-season as manager having brought in three senior additions so far. Andrey Santos, former Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans have arrived, while young prospects Tynan Thompson and Kit Margetson were also signed. In their latest friendly, United beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm.
One position the club are keen to reinforce is left-back. Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui can operate there, but a surprise move for Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly has been mooted. United have long held an interest in the defender, and another transfer that might be completed this week could enable Carrick's side to pounce.
Lewis-Skelly boost
United were first linked with Lewis-Skelly last year when he found himself falling down the left-back pecking order at Arsenal. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie were getting more minutes. That was soon resolved when Mikel Arteta moved the 19-year-old into midfield, where he impressed.
However, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes is set for a Gunners medical on Monday, according to The Times. If the Brazilian signs, he would become one more star Lewis-Skelly has to compete with for first-team minutes, not least because of the reported £80m transfer sum. Any fee Arsenal get from selling Lewis-Skelly would be pure profit under Financial Fair Play regulations, so if United lodge the right offer, it could be too good to turn down. The Independent reports that United are waiting to see whether the Gunners are open to doing business and that their interest remains strong.
Zirkzee agrees to move
On the outgoings front, reports from Italy suggest Joshua Zirkzee has agreed to join Juventus on loan with no obligation to buy. The Dutch forward does not appear to be part of Carrick's first-team plans. United bought Zirkzee for £36m in 2024, making him the first signing under INEOS ownership, and he previously played in Italy with Bologna.
Zirkzee has become a difficult player to sell and, having not been able to cut it at United, is more likely to head out on loan, either with or without an option to buy. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Zirkzee has agreed to such a deal with Juventus and has already "said yes" to the Italian outfit. However, the move is hinging on Juventus being able to offload striker Jonathan David.
