Manchester United’s sporting department is reportedly targeting three new defenders, with Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall and AS Roma right-back Wesley both named as options for the full-back positions.
According to Theatre of Red’s Shaun Connolly, INEOS want a new face on each flank plus a central defender to sit alongside long-term prospects Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. Hall, 22, and Wesley, 23, are the two names put forward for the full-back berths, with the report stressing this is work being carried out behind the scenes by Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox rather than anything close to done deals.
The context is straightforward enough. United spent the summer overhauling midfield having already strengthened the attack the year before, leaving the backline unaddressed with the plan to sort it out properly next summer. That call has looked increasingly shaky given United had yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet at the time of the report.
Hall the priority, Mitchell the fallback
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Hall has just signed a new long-term deal at Newcastle, but Connolly’s report suggests one source still maintains internal confidence that a move could be engineered. If that stalls, Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell is described as a viable alternative, with his contract at Selhurst Park reportedly due to expire at the end of the season, though Palace hold the option to extend it by a further year.
On the right, Wesley has apparently gathered admirers at Carrington, particularly within Michael Sansoni’s department, and is described as a classic wing-back in the mould of United’s great attacking full-backs of old. He scored five goals in 30 Serie A appearances last season and already has an assist to his name this term.
Central options remain under review
For the centre-back slot, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo are the two names being closely monitored by Wilcox and his recruitment staff.
| Player | Club | Position | Note |
| Lewis Hall | Newcastle United | Left-back | 22, new long-term deal signed |
| Wesley | AS Roma | Right-back | 23, five goals in 30 Serie A games last term |
None of this constitutes a formal approach, and United are said to be weighing several domestic and continental right-back options alongside Wesley. Whether any of these names translate into concrete bids will depend on how the rebuild is prioritised once the current campaign settles.