Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has opened up on Man United’s interest in him in the summer transfer window
Manchester United summer transfer target Lewis Hall has opened up about the decision to extend his stay with Newcastle, insisting that the speculation surrounding his future did not affect him. The left-back was a key target for United in the transfer window, but a deal could not be reached.
Hall has since ended speculation about his future by signing a contract extension at St James’ Park. He put pen-to-paper earlier this month on a deal which runs until 2031, and has credited new manager Matthias Jaissle as a big factor over the decision.
United were keen to add to their left-back options in the summer, but having already sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle were determined not to sell another key player. Hall has impressed with his performances so far this season, scoring in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Hull City.
When asked whether the transfer speculation had affected him, the full-back said: “No, honestly, it didn’t. I guess whenever you’re linked to another team, you know that you’re doing something right. I guess it’s just a credit to your own performances and how you are as a player, how you are as a person.
“I took that as a positive, but at the same time, I knew how much I love playing here and I knew that since the manager came in, I knew the ambitions and what we wanted to achieve.
“After not many conversations, not many training sessions, I knew that the manager was going to be really good for this club and I knew that as a team, bringing in new players and improving the squad was really important and as soon as we did that, it was a no-brainer really to sign.”
Newcastle have claimed victory in two of their five matches, suffering only a single defeat, with Jaissle making a positive impression as he integrates a number of new summer recruits, many of whom were largely untested at this level.
Hall, despite enduring some testing moments – including conceding a stoppage-time penalty against Liverpool – has largely been a standout performer, earning himself a recall to the England squad.
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He missed out on the World Cup in the summer, largely due to a dip in form during the closing weeks of the season. Hall was reportedly frustrated that Howe deployed him on the right rather than in his natural position, a factor he is said to have linked to his declining performances.
United, meanwhile have had problems in the left-back position. Luke Shaw is the only natural senior option in the position, but has been struggling with injury the last couple of weeks.
Patrick Dorgu, more naturally a winger, has deputised. Shaw returned to the starting line-up for the weekend’s draw against Fulham but was replaced by Dorgu in the second half as he steps up his comeback.
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