Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has expressed his doubts regarding the club's interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall.
The 21-year-old left-back was one of United's top targets last summer, yet Keane doesn’t see him as a suitable solution.
Keane stated:
I don’t think Hall is the answer. He’s not a bad player, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t consider him a good defender.
We keep coming back to this question: what is most important in a defender? Of course, you want them to feel comfortable on the ball. But above all, they need to be able to defend, because that’s your main issue right now.
You can tell the attacking players: “Look lads, we have two midfielders and four up front — go out there and win the match.” But at the back, the team needs to be solid, even if it means sacrificing some quality in possession.
Keane also commented on United's last-minute attempt to bolster their left flank just hours before the transfer deadline, where they showed interest in Ryan Ait-Nouri.
He observed:
This reeks of desperation. For a club like Manchester United, it shouldn’t be coming down to such a situation just two hours before the window closes. Although there have been crazy last-minute deals that turned out to be successful.
Manchester United left the summer transfer window without signing a new left-back. Reports indicate that the club may reconsider their pursuit of Hall as far ahead as 2027, with Newcastle reportedly open to discussions at a price above £75 million.
