United target left-back after Baleba deal as Arsenal block Lewis-Skelly exit

Manchester United are set to pursue a new left-back as their fifth summer signing once their move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is finalised, with the club also receiving a firm rejection in their reported interest in Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Baleba remains the priority for United’s recruitment team, though a few details on the deal are still being resolved. Once that transfer is complete, manager Michael Carrick — confirmed as permanent boss after steering the club to Champions League qualification during his interim spell last season — is expected to push for reinforcements at left-back.

Luke Shaw is United’s established first choice in that position, but the added fixture load of European football has prompted the club to seek cover and competition. Lewis Hall of Newcastle United and Spanish defender Jorge Salinas have both been identified as potential targets, with Alejandro Balde’s name also emerging in connection with a move to Old Trafford this week.

Newcastle’s stance on Hall is understood to be firm, which could force United to look elsewhere. If the England youth international remains unavailable, one of the two Spanish options may move to the front of the queue.

Meanwhile, any prospect of United signing Lewis-Skelly appears to have been extinguished by Arteta. The Arsenal manager stated the 18-year-old will “100 per cent” still be at the Emirates Stadium when the transfer window closes, dismissing speculation that United or Chelsea might make a move for the teenager.

“The players that have been raised in our system, and they feel generally that love and that connection with the club, bring something else, there’s no question about that,” Arteta said. “We need to look after them in a really special way because they bring value that is very difficult to find. That’s why, when we can, we want to protect those assets as much as possible, develop them and make them extremely important for the club.”

United open their Premier League season on Saturday when they travel to Hull City’s MKM Stadium. Summer arrivals Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos, who joined from Chelsea, are both in contention to start.