Manchester United have identified one of the toughest opponents Bryan Mbeumo has ever faced to bolster Michael Carrick’s options at left-back ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Although Luke Shaw impressed as a mainstay in Manchester United’s defence throughout the past season, the 30-year-old cannot be expected to play every game next term.
United will be playing in the Champions League, and two games per week will prove difficult for Shaw, who has had plenty of battles with injuries over the years.
This has led Newcastle’s Lewis Hall to emerge as a United target, but the 21-year-old is not the only Premier League left-back on the club’s radar this summer.
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Man Utd target Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson
United were linked with a move for Myles Lewis-Skelly a few months ago, but a move for the Arsenal winger may be trickier now after the role he played in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
That may come as a boost to Hall if he can secure a move from St. James’ Park to Old Trafford, but Sky Sports claims United are also monitoring Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson.
Tyrell Malacia was released this week, and Patrick Dorgu may prioritise a more attacking role on the wing next season. That leaves Shaw as the only option at left-back ahead of a huge campaign.
It remains to be seen if Harry Amass can make an impression at United next season, or if the young left-back will be sent on loan again.
Robinson will compete in the 2026 World Cup as a member of the USA national team.
Interestingly, United star Bryan Mbeumo previously named Robinson as one of his toughest opponents.
When asked to name the toughest defenders he’s ever faced, Mbeumo told Zack en Roue Libre via TikTok: “One that nobody is going to think of is Robinson from Fulham.
“That guy, I played against him, I played against him a lot at the time, because he was at Wigan. Wigan, we played against them in the league. And I think it was the moment when he had just arrived in England, and he was really the prototype of the athletic American who runs super fast, but with his feet he was really, you know, he wasn’t very good, you know?
“But he has progressed a lot. And I’m really happy when I see his progression because, well, he started like me, a bit lower, and now he is at Fulham, and honestly he is really good. Honestly, I really like this full-back.
“And another one, well he plays in his team as well, Calvin Bassey. And him, I think it came out a lot at AFCON. Even the AFCON before as well. Calvin Bassey. He’s twice my size. He’s too powerful. It’s crazy.
“And on top of that, he’s fast too, the same, he’s strong. No, it’s not nice to play against him, but… yeah.”
Mbeumo was then asked if it was annoying playing Fulham at Craven Cottage as their defence consisted to two players he found difficult to face.
He added: “Yeah, me, I don’t like it. I don’t like playing at Fulham anyway. It’s my little inner rivalry.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Manchester United are linked with a move for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson
- Bryan Mbeumo previously named Robinson as one of the toughest defenders he’s faced
- Mbeumo admits it can be annoying playing against Fulham because their defence consists of Robinson and Calvin Bassey
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Who was the last player Man Utd signed from Fulham?
United have not signed a senior player from Fulham since July 2010.
That transfer saw Chris Smalling swap Craven Cottage for Old Trafford.
The deal cost United a mere £8 million.
Robinson’s future may be up in the air with Fulham set to hire a new manager following Marco Silva’s decision to leave the club.
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