Manchester United have less than 24 hours left in the summer transfer window to fix the glaring imbalance in their squad.
With the Red Devils returning to the UEFA Champions League, expectations were high that INEOS would make several key additions to address their biggest weaknesses.
INEOS may have fallen short in their transfer plans so far, but they still have one final opportunity to avoid repeating costly mistakes.
Lewis Hall has been heavily linked with a transfer to Old Trafford all summer but United are yet to make a tempting offer.
There is a growing feeling that United are making the same mistake they made during their pursuit of Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils first expressed an interest in signing the Portuguese midfielder during the summer of 2019.
Sporting CP demanded more than £50 million to part with their prized asset, but United refused to meet their valuation.
Defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool in January 2020, coupled with a growing injury crisis, forced United back to the negotiating table, where they agreed a package worth £68m.
Fast forward to today, and United have only Luke Shaw as their recognised specialist left-back heading into the 2026-27 season.
Harry Amass remains a raw prospect and could even be sent out on another loan before the window closes.
A new left-back is no longer a luxury for United, it is an urgent necessity, and Hall would arguably be the dream solution.
The Newcastle star is still young but already boasts valuable senior experience from his time with both Chelsea and Newcastle United.
United risk repeating the Fernandes saga if they refuse to act now.
Any injury to Shaw could leave INEOS scrambling in January, potentially forcing the club to spend considerably more to prise a player like Hall away in the middle of the season.
Stats from Fotmob.com
