Manchester United’s qualification for the Champions League is official, and it means recruitment plans can properly begin ahead of the summer transfer window.
With Manchester United beating Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday, the Red Devils’ place at the top table of European football next season was confirmed.
After a two-year absence, United are back in the Champions League, which opens up an even bigger market of players for Ineos to shop from, with a much wider budget.
It established United’s place at the top of the food chain, and that could be bad news for Newcastle and Eddie Howe after their tough campaign.
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Eddie Howe backing could signal Lewis Hall transfer opportunity
United have been linked with several Newcastle players ahead of this summer, including Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. But the most gettable of all could be Lewis Hall.
This is because the left-back has been in the cold at the back end of this season under Howe, with Dan Burn somehow being preferred at left-back.
Chronicle Live noted how Hall’s blank expressions have said it all in relation to his feelings around being dropped.
With Howe and Hall potentially not on great terms, David Ornstein’s latest report for The Athletic regarding managerial security of the Newcastle head coach should send a signal to United that the defender is gettable.
Howe retains the support of the club’s hierarchy and is keen to continue, meaning that barring an unexpected shift, he will lead the team into the 2026/27 campaign.
Ornstein adds that both Howe and Newcastle’s decision makers accept that a repeat of this season isn’t acceptable, but Hall won’t want to wait and see whether he falls into favour with a future manager.
He especially won’t be keen to play second fiddle to Burn, considering United are keen to sign Hall, and he would be able to learn from one of the most talented left-backs of this era, in Luke Shaw, while likely playing ahead of him.
Champions League football will also come into it, as Hall will want to be playing in the biggest competitions, and there is no indication Newcastle will get back to that level anytime soon.
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Hall should be a priority for Manchester United
In many ways, Hall is a perfect replacement for Shaw and is a natural successor for the long-time United servant.
This season, Hall has been excellent for Newcastle, with his technical ability and athleticism making him perfect for overlapping and delivering stellar crosses for Benjamin Sesko.
Due to Hall’s unique skillset at left-back, with elite ability on the ball, signing him should be a priority for United because there isn’t another option like him on the market.
Hall is ideal for Michael Carrick’s system, also capable of sitting narrower in an inverted midfield position, as Diogo Dalot has done on the right occasionally.
After the midfield is sorted, Hall should be next on the list. Mainly because the chances of Shaw having another injury-free season is very slim.
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