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Manchester United appear to have been handed a new boost in their pursuit of Alejandro Balde , though Lewis Hall will not be heading to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils look to be intensifying their summer-long search for a new left-back ahead of the transfer deadline on September 1 as Michael Carrick seeks a long-term successor to current incumbent Luke Shaw.

Shaw, who turned 31 in July, is into the final 12 months of his contract at Man Utd , who retain the option to trigger an automatic one-year extension.

Hall seemed to be their top target after his fine form since joining Newcastle from Chelsea - initially on loan - in 2023, with reports over the weekend that they could yet look to test the Magpies’ resolve before the window shuts.

However, Newcastle do not want to lose yet another key player following the respective exits of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, with their stance over Hall made abundantly clear following Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their Premier League opener.

Hall was excellent for Newcastle in that game at St James’ Park, though gave away the last-gasp penalty for a foul on Victor Munoz that saw Dominik Szoboszlai claim a point from the spot.

During an interview with Viaplay after the match, Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle was told by pundit - and Manchester United legend - Peter Schmeichel that the latter’s former club were currently “looking at” Hall.

No sale: Newcastle do not want to part with Lewis Hall before the summer transfer deadline Getty Jaissle simply replied twice with a chuckle: “No chance.”

There could yet be better news for Manchester United over Balde, for whom they are said to have made an initial approach last week .

The Spanish international was then left out of Barcelona’s squad for a thumping win at Elche to begin their latest LaLiga title defence on Sunday, with head coach Hansi Flick admitting after the game that his omission was due to the distraction caused by that ongoing transfer speculation.

According to Catalan publication Sport , Balde wants to leave Barcelona before the deadline and has instructed his agent Jorge Mendes to negotiate a potential switch to Old Trafford, having spoken fondly of Manchester United in the past.

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“I spoke with Alejandro Balde today and said to him that I think you're not here 100 per cent, so it's best that you stay at home and clear your mind,” Flick said after the 5-0 thrashing of Elche, for which Marc Casado and Hector Font were also not involved. “We will talk again tomorrow.”

He added: “I have not told Alejandro Balde to leave. I spoke with him this morning, I told him to think about [it].”