Manchester United will not be signing Alejandro Balde or Jorge Salinas, meaning they are expected to end the window without recruiting a specialised left-back unless there is a dramatic late change.
United made a deadline-day check on Balde, 22, who was an unused substitute in Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday, but have ended any pursuit of a loan deal.
Michael Carrick’s side have also held talks on Salinas, whose Racing Santander contract includes a €16m release fee. The 19-year-old was of interest to Atletico Madrid too, but his club expect him to stay in Santander.
United have been considering left-back options, with Luke Shaw the only senior player in that position. Dorgu is seen as a left winger by head coach Carrick, while Harry Amass is 19 years old.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can switch across from right-back, and these are set to be the options available to Carrick.
Amass had been in line to leave United, either permanently initially, or on loan in recent days, with approaches from several clubs, but no deal has been concluded. United ideally wanted a replacement in to allow Amass out. The former Watford man is expected to feature for United Under-21s and provide back-up for Shaw.
Analysis by Manchester United correspondent Cerys Jones
A glance at Shaw’s injury record explains why the likely lack of recruitment at left-back will prompt concern from United’s fanbase.
Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season and, when fit, can be a massive asset to the team; his understanding with the returning Marcus Rashford is another positive. But in a season with Champions League football, relying on a player whose long United career has been plagued by availability problems is a risk. Some would also make the case that, at 31, it is time for United to move on from Shaw. His athleticism and pace are understandably no longer at their peak, which showed for Ipswich Town’s first goal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The ideal target was Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, who at 21 could well have been Shaw’s immediate replacement rather than his backup. Newcastle have stood firm and Hall has remained at St. James’ Park — but the situation could be explored again next summer, when Shaw’s contract expires. A loan deal, such as for Barcelona’s Balde, would have provided cover until that opportunity arose to sign a long-term successor. United’s decision to stick with their current options leaves the door open to pursue Hall in the future. For now, though, United will hope Shaw can keep up the durability he showed last season.
The only other outright left-back in the squad is 19-year-old Amass, who made a handful of first-team appearances in 2024-25 and spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City. An exit was on the cards this summer, with interest from Burnley, but he could now have further opportunities in the first-team setup. With Amass not in the squad on Sunday — he was also absent from the Under-21s game on Monday due to talks over a potential transfer — Noussair Mazraoui was substituted on for Shaw at left-back. Patrick Dorgu was signed as a left wing-back, but now seems to be earmarked for an attacking role. Who Carrick prefers as Shaw’s deputy remains to be seen.