What Can United Realistically Get Done Before Tuesday?

Manchester United’s defeat at Hull highlights unfinished transfer business. This looks at Baleba’s impact, the urgent need for a left-back, and whether Zirkzee leaving should trigger a sensible striker move.

Well, that wasn't quite the start we had in mind.

After a summer that had generated genuine optimism, Manchester United travelled to newly promoted Hull City and produced a performance that brought a few familiar concerns rushing straight back.

United lost 2-0, struggled to create clear chances and looked vulnerable defensively.

Michael Carrick has understandably preached calm after one game, but with the transfer deadline arriving at 11pm on Tuesday 1 September, there are now two obvious questions:

Can United get a left-back through the door?

And, if Joshua Zirkzee leaves for Italy:

Do they need another striker as well?

The good news is that Carlos Baleba is now officially a Manchester United player.

And despite the Hull performance, I still think this has been a very good window.

But there is work left to do.

Baleba Could Change This Midfield

United have officially completed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton, with the 22-year-old signing until 2031 with the option of another year.

For a player of his age, Premier League experience and potential, I still think the fee represents really good business.

Baleba gives United exactly what was missing against Hull:

- Athleticism
- Ball-winning ability
- Recovery speed
- Power carrying the ball forward
- The ability to cover ground when possession breaks down

He is currently recovering from injury, so we may need some patience before seeing the benefit.

But once Baleba is fit, a midfield group containing:

Baleba
Andrey Santos
Youri Tielemans
Kobbie Mainoo
Bruno Fernandes
Mason Mount

looks vastly stronger than it did a few months ago.

The problem is that Baleba cannot solve everything.

Hull exposed two other areas that still concern me.

Left-back and centre-forward.

PRIORITY ONE: LEFT-BACK

For me this has to happen.

Not "it would be nice".

Not "if there is money left".

United need a left-back before Tuesday.

Luke Shaw remains the only established senior natural option and, whatever anyone thinks of Patrick Dorgu, I increasingly think his greatest value could be playing higher up the pitch rather than asking him to become United's long-term defensive solution.

The Hull game certainly did nothing to change that opinion.

So who can actually arrive before the deadline?

Alejandro Balde - Suddenly the One to Watch

Chance of happening:

Signing quality: 8.5/10

This has developed into one of the more interesting deadline-week possibilities.

There has been credible reporting that United have explored what it would take to sign Alejandro Balde from Barcelona.

If Barcelona are genuinely open to doing business, this is the deal I'd push hardest for.

Balde is only 22.

He's lightning quick, carries the ball extremely well, is comfortable operating high on the left and already has experience at the highest level for Barcelona and Spain.

He isn't perfect defensively, but you're buying someone with enormous physical and technical upside.

Most importantly, this feels like one of those deadline-week situations where the circumstances might actually align.

Barcelona may be willing to let him go.

United desperately need his position.

And a loan with an option or obligation could potentially help United protect the remaining budget.

For me, Balde is now probably the most attractive realistic option.

David Raum - The Sensible Ready-Made Option

Chance:

Signing quality: 8/10

David Raum remains another interesting possibility.

The German international is 28, experienced and would arrive ready to play immediately.

He's particularly dangerous going forward and is one of Europe's better crossing full-backs.

That's also significant when you've got Benjamin Šeško attacking the box.

The question is age profile.

United have largely moved towards younger players with resale value, so spending significant money on a 28-year-old would be a slight change of direction.

But after Hull, there's an argument for buying someone who needs absolutely no development period.

United are back in the Champions League.

Sometimes you need a player who is ready now.

If Raum is available at a sensible price, he'd be a very solid Plan B.

Lewis Hall - Still the Dream, But Probably Not Happening

Chance:

Signing quality: 9.5/10

He's still my favourite.

But I think we have to be realistic now.

United have made enquiries and Newcastle's position has consistently been that Lewis Hall isn't for sale.

Unless something dramatic changes over the final days or United make an enormous offer, I think this one has probably gone.

I'd absolutely keep Hall on the long-term list.

But United cannot spend the final hours of the window repeatedly chasing a player Newcastle have no intention of selling.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - Very Unlikely

Chance:

Signing quality: 9/10

I loved this idea when it first emerged.

Nineteen years old, English, technically excellent and potentially capable of playing both left-back and midfield.

But Arsenal appear determined to keep him and there is little reason to think a deal between two direct rivals can suddenly be completed this late in the window.

Great player.

Very unlikely transfer.

LEFT-BACK VERDICT

My order now would be:

1. Alejandro Balde - push hard, particularly if a loan structure is available

2. David Raum - excellent Plan B and probably the safest immediate starter

3. Lewis Hall - one last enquiry, but don't waste Deadline Day chasing the impossible

If United sign Balde or Raum by Tuesday, I think we can say the major structural work on the squad has been done.

But then there's Zirkzee.

Zirkzee Looks Increasingly Likely to Go

The Italy links appear to be gathering momentum.

Fiorentina are being strongly linked with Joshua Zirkzee, and a return to Serie A would make sense from the player's perspective.

He currently finds himself competing with:

Šeško
Rashford
Cunha
Mbeumo

for attacking minutes.

If he leaves, though, I think United become one injury away from being unnecessarily light at centre-forward.

Does Rashford Mean We Don't Need a Striker?

Before Hull, I was prepared to say yes.

Marcus Rashford looks increasingly likely to stay and appears to have been fully reintegrated by Carrick.

And I still think Rashford can cover No.9.

But Hull changed my thinking slightly.

United didn't just lack bodies.

They lacked a different solution when the game wasn't working.

Šeško is still developing.

Cunha isn't really an orthodox centre-forward.

Rashford is devastating when attacking space but isn't naturally someone I'd want wrestling with two centre-backs while United try to break down a deep block.

So if Zirkzee goes, I'd replace him.

The important bit is this:

I wouldn't spend £60m doing it.

Spend the serious money on the left-back.

Then add an experienced or promising No.9 without compromising Šeško's development.

STRIKER OPTION 1: Jean-Philippe Mateta

Chance:

Signing quality: 8.5/10

This remains my favourite permanent option.

Mateta gives United something very different.

A genuine centre-forward.

Someone who occupies centre-backs.

Someone you can cross towards.

Someone comfortable with the physical side of Premier League football.

That's exactly the sort of option United were missing against Hull.

He wouldn't necessarily arrive to replace Šeško.

He could compete with him, rotate across four competitions and give Carrick a much more direct Plan B.

The issue is price.

If Palace demand a huge fee, United should walk away.

But if the situation becomes favourable late in the window, I think Mateta would be an excellent addition.

STRIKER OPTION 2: Alexander Sørloth

Chance:

Signing quality: 8/10

This is the experienced short-term option I quite like.

At 30, Sørloth wouldn't be arriving as United's long-term No.9.

That's actually part of the appeal.

He's big, physical, experienced and gives United immediate penalty-box presence.

If Atlético Madrid were open to a loan or relatively low-cost deal, this would make sense.

You're not blocking Šeško.

You're strengthening the squad.

And you're adding a completely different attacking profile.

STRIKER OPTION 3: Igor Matanovic

Chance:

Signing quality: 7.5/10

This is the younger wildcard.

Matanovic is a big, physical striker with the type of attributes that could translate well to English football.

He's not a glamorous name.

But that doesn't necessarily make him a bad signing.

United don't need another £80m superstar.

They need someone who can:

- Rotate with Šeško
- Play cup games
- Come off the bench
- Attack crosses
- Give Carrick a different option

If a loan with an option became available, I'd be interested.

The Wildcard: Endrick on Loan

I still love the idea.

If Real Madrid suddenly made Endrick available on loan, United should ask the question immediately.

The attraction is obvious.

Huge talent.

Minimal impact on the transfer budget.

Can play centrally or around another striker.

And you aren't committing £50m-£70m to another forward before really knowing what Šeško becomes.

The problem is that there isn't currently enough strong reporting to suggest United are genuinely working on this.

So for now this remains a deadline-day wildcard rather than something I'd expect to happen.

What I Think Will Actually Happen

With the deadline approaching, my prediction is:

Carlos Baleba

Already done.

Potentially transformative once fit.

New left-back - 70% chance

Balde feels like the one to watch.

If Barcelona are genuinely open to a loan or sensible permanent deal, it makes far too much sense for United not to push.

Raum is the obvious alternative.

Joshua Zirkzee leaves - 70%

A move back to Italy feels increasingly realistic.

Replacement striker - 50%

This becomes much more likely if Zirkzee actually leaves.

But I think we're talking about a loan or opportunistic deal, not United suddenly spending another enormous fee.

Mateta would be my preferred permanent option.

Sørloth would make sense as an experienced short-term solution.

Matanovic is the younger wildcard.

And Endrick is the dream loan opportunity if Madrid suddenly open that door.

My Dream Final Few Days

If you gave me this on Tuesday night:

Carlos Baleba

Alejandro Balde - loan with option/obligation

Zirkzee → Fiorentina

Mateta / Sørloth / Matanovic in as Šeško competition

I'd go from nervous after Hull straight back to thinking:

That is one hell of a transfer window.

Imagine the squad once everyone is fit.

RB: Dalot / Mazraoui

CB: De Ligt / Yoro / Martínez / Heaven

LB: Balde / Shaw

DM/CM: Baleba / Santos / Tielemans / Mainoo

AM: Bruno / Mount / Cunha

Wide: Mbeumo / Amad / Rashford / Dorgu

CF: Šeško / new striker / Rashford

That is depth.

That's competition.

And importantly, it's a squad containing players with different characteristics rather than several expensive players all wanting to occupy the same spaces.

Hull Was a Warning, Not a Disaster

One awful performance shouldn't undo an entire summer.

But Hull was useful in one respect.

It stopped us pretending the squad was finished.

Baleba will make a huge difference once available.

Rashford's reintegration gives Carrick another genuine attacking weapon.

Šeško still has enormous potential.

But United need to finish the job.

Get the left-back.

And if Zirkzee goes:

Get Šeško some proper competition.

A left-back plus one sensible striker deal could turn the mood around very quickly.

Two jobs left.

Then it's over to Carrick.

Squeaky bum time indeed.

Written by Philip_hunter2003 August 28 2026 16:51:18