Manchester United clearly still need a new left-back after learning Newcastle United’s stance on selling Lewis Hall.

Hall had been at the top of the Red Devils’ wishlist as they looked to give Luke Shaw competition but the Magpies have made it clear they don’t intend to sell. That is a real nuisance for Michael Carrick, who, as it stands, is heading into his first full season as manager with just two signings made.

INEOS were expected to be extremely busy this summer and started the window off well with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Since then, it’s been quiet at Old Trafford with little transfer activity frustrating fans, and a 4-2 pre-season friendly loss to AC Milan made it clear Carrick needs more.

Man Utd Should Hijack Diouf Deal

While a move Hall now looks to be off the cards, United should still be exploring the market for a new left-back. The solution is West Ham United’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, who looks likely to be on the move before the window closes on September 1st.

GIVEMESPORT’s senior correspondent Ben Jacobs reports that Brentford have resumed their pursuit of the Senegalese full-back. The issue is that there is a ‘gulf in valuation’ paving the way for other clubs to hijack the Bees’ move.

United should consider swooping for Diouf who impressed despite the Hammers’ relegation last season. A modern left-back who has pace, power and a fierce left-footed strike, he could prove to be an outstanding Hall alternative.

Diouf’s attacking qualities have earned plaudits since he arrived in English football last summer. At just 21, he is still young and could be the long-term Shaw replacement the Reds need to sign sooner rather than later.

English presenter Jamie Boyce, a West Ham supporter, gave a glowing verdict on Diouf last season:

A deal for Diouf is said to cost around £40m (per TEAMtalk), much more reasonably priced than one for Hall, who’d likely cost at least £60-70m. If INEOS are wise, they wait and see how much Brentford is prepared to offer and enter the race at that ballpark.

Man Utd Have To Make Three Signings

United cannot start Carrick’s permanent reign and the new season back in the Champions League with just two additions made. It was widely reported that the club would be one of the busiest this summer but a lack of business has raised alarm bells with just a week until their opener against Hull City.

While a new left-back is a priority, so too should be a third midfield signing given Mason Mount’s recurring injury struggles. Santos and Tielemans are impressive acquisitions, but a powerful defensive midfielder should have been signed to address Casemiro’s departure.

There are also problems in attack with Benjamin Sesko set to start the season on the sidelines. The Slovenian’s backup, Joshua Zirkzee, has failed to convince and is linked with a return to Serie A.

If INEOS can deliver a new left-back, holding midfielder and striker, the mood will completely shift. But it is worrying that they haven’t landed a third signing since Tielemans was signed back on July 14th and the likes of Ipswich Town and Coventry City have outspent them.

Mikel Arteta has claimed he’s been ‘fighting with the Premier League‘ to make a significant rule change following Arsenal’s win against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

The English champions ran out comfortable winners as goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard sealed a 3-0 victory at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The north Londoners were never in trouble after taking a first-minute lead, and look set to mount another title challenge.

Arteta had the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres to call upon from his substitute bench, while the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri didn’t even make the matchday squad.

Mikel Arteta Wants the Premier League to Make Change

via Reuters

Despite the impressive squad depth displayed by the Gunners on Sunday afternoon, Arteta isn’t happy he has to leave some talented players out altogether. Martinelli, Jesus and Nwaneri have all been linked with moves away from the club this summer.

But Arteta explained that he would have liked to include the trio, as they all ‘deserve’ a place on the bench at least. “Really sad to not have their availability,” he said in his post-match press conference.

The Spanish coach claimed to have been fighting with lawmakers in the English top flight to allow more players in the matchday squad. Calling for a change to the current guidelines, which allow nine substitutes per team, he said:

It’s not the first time he’s mentioned the same regulation, as Arteta pleaded with the Premier League to increase matchday squads from 20 players to 23 in January.

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Martinelli has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, but the Brazilian winger confirmed he wasn’t interested in pursuing a move to Turkey earlier this week. Despite that stance, a transfer away from the Emirates doesn’t appear to be off the cards following his Community Shield snub.

Jesus, meanwhile, is behind Havertz and Gyokeres in the pecking order. The former Manchester City forward is among the top earners at the club, meaning a move away could suit all parties. Fabrizio Romano confirmed Nwaneri is set to leave Arsenal too, after spending part of last season on loan at Marseille.

Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield and one of Mikel Arteta’s men put in a superb performance that will surely convince the higher-ups to keep him.

A dominant display from the Gunners saw them ease to victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Riccardo Calafiori gave the Premier League champions the lead in the very first minute with a tidy finish.

Kai Havertz added a second 27 minutes later, before Martin Odegaard came up with a moment of brilliance to make it three-nil in the 48th minute. Arteta’s side controlled proceedings and toyed with a lackluster City side playing their first competitive game since Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola.

As is often the case with the Community Shield, managers give opportunities to players not yet considered guaranteed starters before the season begins. Arteta and his bosses were reminded of just how talented one of their exit-linked stars is.

Arsenal 3-0 Man City: Lewis-Skelly Shut Down Exit Talk

Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Arteta started new signing Bruno Guimaraes in a midfield three alongside Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly. The latter’s future has been uncertain in recent weeks amid reports claiming he has been offered to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Lewis-Skelly had looked set to follow in Bukayo Saka’s footsteps and be the next superstar to emerge from the club’s Hale End academy. But he found game time hard to come by last season, with Arteta preferring Calafiori at left-back.

The 19-year-old is thought to want to stay at the Emirates and fight for his place in Arteta’s team. Judging from today’s showing, he is more than up for the fight, putting in a marvelous performance that makes the Gunners’ apparent stance over potentially selling him extremely confusing.

Lewis-Skelly, whom Declan Rice called ‘very special’, set up Calafiori for the opener, putting the Italian through on goal with a clever pass after fighting off pressure from defenders. That was just the start of a perfect response to rumors over a summer exit, showing his manager and the hierarchy why he should be going nowhere.

Midfield Myles is The Way Forward

Lewis-Skelly might not reclaim the left-back starting berth from Calafiori, but he should be considered for a starting role in Arteta’s midfield. His press resistance, along with his spatial awareness, is hugely effective, and he drifts into pockets before picking out a teammate, as he did assisting the opener.

The England international could shine in a midfield three alongside Guimaraes and Rice. All three possess different profiles that could make for a well-balanced unit.

Guimaraes operates more as the deep playmaker, controlling the tempo and using his creativity. Rice is the engine room, working box-to-box and helping on the defensive side aswell as making late runs into the box.

Jamie Carragher is one of many who can’t understand why Lewis-Skelly could be sold. He responded to his assist with a post on X:

There’s certainly a lot for Arsenal fans to like about their team’s performance in their win over City. Lewis-Skelly’s showing will have delighted them and potentially ensured his name is no longer mentioned in the rumour mill.