Why Manchester United still have Lewis Hall transfer hope despite major contract twist

The left-back penned a new deal until 2031 at St James’ Park in what seems to be a major dent in United’s transfer plans.

The Red Devils decided against signing the former Chelsea man this summer despite their obvious need for left-back reinforcements, with multiple outlets reporting that Michael Carrick’s side would look to land him next summer instead, after a major outlay that focused on building the club’s midfield.

United are thought to have made the England international their priority target in that position, and they still hold out hope that they can secure his services next year, despite there being no release clause in his new terms, according to talkSPORT.

The outlet claims that while Hall has signed a long-term contract on Tyneside, he could still make the switch to Old Trafford as expected in the coming months.

In a statement to the Newcastle club website, Hall said: "It's an absolute pleasure to play for this club and to represent the supporters.

“I know how much it means to them. To be able to bring joy to their faces, it's a big thing for me. I obviously have a family connection with the club, which is incredibly important to us all.

"One of the main reasons I play is to make my family proud, and I know how much it means to them to watch me playing for Newcastle.

"It's a really good place to be. It's really pleasing with how we've started the season, especially with the new gaffer [Matthias Jaissle] and coaching staff coming in, and I think we can go on to achieve really big things."

The 22-year-old has made 106 appearances for the club, forging himself as a first-team regular under Eddie Howe and now Jaissle., who labelled the full-back as a "very important player for us and for what we are building here.

"His mentality is exactly what you want in a young player.

"He wants to learn every day and he wants to be better in every match.

"Lewis covers ground in a way that few players can. He defends with maturity and intelligence, and his technical level means he can support the team higher up the pitch.

"What excites me most is that I believe the best is still to come from Lewis. He has a lot of room to develop, and I am looking forward to working with him as he grows with us."