Meet the “powerhouse” left-back who can end Luke Shaw’s Man Utd career

Manchester United have turned doubters into Balebas after completing their recent midfield rebuild.

The Brighton man has arrived at the perfect time following the scar that Hull City left behind on the Premier League’s opening weekend and should add some much-needed power at the base of a new trio.

However, while Carlos Baleba completed their midfield rebuild, the Red Devils passes up on the chance to solve another major issue. That, of course, was at left-back – the position that Man United have seemingly been attempting to solve for years now.

It feels absurd that Luke Shaw is still the man with the job as Champions League football returns, and not someone like Lewis Hall.

Why Man Utd needed to sign Lewis Hall

Credit where it is due, INEOS did spend wisely this summer. They welcomed Youri Tielemans for a secret £35m release clause, spent just £48m on Andrey Santos, before splashing out £70m on Baleba.

However, a move for the aforementioned Hall ultimately proved prohibitive. The Toon were in no mood to sell having already lost Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

That’s a shame. Indeed, if anyone at Old Trafford needed a timely reminder of Hall’s quality, then all they needed to see was 89 minutes against Liverpool on the opening day.

Rio Ngumoha didn’t beat him once during that time, only for one mistimed challenge on Victor Munoz to spoil what would have been the perfect afternoon. As Gary Neville claimed, it is the harsh reality of a fullback to be beaten once and only once and suffer the greatest consequences.

Alas, those who witnessed that moment should forget about it and focus on the excellent performance before it. The Newcastle man was, by some distance, the best full-back on the pitch.

Physically, Hall would have been an instant upgrade on Shaw. Valued at around £70m by Newcastle, the England international would have added an intensity that United lack down that side as well as a modern-day full-back capable of creating.

It’s a shame INEOS were not willing to stump up the funds required. It was a shame the Toon were not willing to sell. As a result, Man United may have no choice but to turn to an emerging star who could provide the perfect internal solution.

How Man Utd can forget about Shaw and Hall

If Man United are looking for that Hall profile, valuing his physical attributes over a more technically gifted option, then young Diego Leon could be in line for a promotion at Carrington. The 19-year-old is already a Man United player and already thriving in the U21s both in and out of possession.

Whilst Hall’s best work arguably comes off the ball, where he made 17 sprints and eight recoveries against Liverpool, Leon can do both.

Indeed, for the U21s last season, the left-back averaged 3.7 ball recoveries and completed almost one dribble per game – more than Hall managed on the opening day of the campaign.

It’s natural to have concerns about a full-back’s defensive ability when they’re so natural going the other way. In this instance, United needn’t worry.

The teenager won 2.8 tackles per 90 last season – more than Shaw managed – and 6.23 defensive contributions. At 19 years old, he has the perfect profile to step into Michael Carrick’s side.

Action Images via REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Of course, it’s not just the backline that his introduction would benefit, either. A player like Benjamin Sesko, who loves to find space in behind, would reap the rewards of the defender’s passing range after he completed more than two long passes per game last time out.

Described as a “powerhouse” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, Leon is officially one to watch. INEOS have been assessing their left-back options all summer whilst simultaneously counting their pennies. £70m is not a fee that they were happy to pay for Hall, which makes their internal solution the next best thing.