Manchester United allowed the summer transfer window to close without signing a new left-back, despite Luke Shaw being their only recognised senior option in the position. The club made a late attempt to sign Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri on loan, but City rejected the approach, leaving manager Michael Carrick to rely on Shaw and makeshift alternatives for the season ahead, a decision seen as a calculated gamble given Shaw's injury history and the demands of a campaign that could exceed 60 matches.

United had considered several left-back targets over the summer, including Newcastle's Lewis Hall, Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas and Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico, but a deal for each proved unworkable, largely because the club's budget was prioritised on midfielder Carlos Baleba, signed from Brighton for £70m. With back-up Tyrell Malacia having left as a free agent in June, United's left-back cover now consists of Shaw, converted options Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, while academy prospect Harry Amass, who impressed in pre-season, was allowed to leave the club.