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Welbeck transfer truth, Hall’s future and Tielemans – Manchester United Notebook
There was some surprise among those close to Danny Welbeck that Manchester United didn’t try to rival Chelsea for his signature this summer, but the reality is that there was never any approach from Old Trafford for the 35-year-old.
United looked at Welbeck when Erik ten Hag was in charge in 2024, and came very close to a deal with Ruben Amorim at the helm in 2025. In fact, that move was so far advanced that most involved thought it was going to happen.
But it didn’t then and the reason United didn’t compete with Chelsea this summer is that, as things stand, they don’t want another striker. They have looked at the market and considered strengthening there, and there is a view that an experienced forward would be beneficial, but it’s nowhere near a priority at the moment.
That could change if there is a move for Joshua Zirkzee and Juventus are interested in a deal, although, as Notebook reported last week, it is likely to be a loan with an option or obligation to buy.
United are happy with Benjamin Sesko, who has stepped up his return to training over the last week or so, and expect a more prominent role for the Slovenian this season. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can also play through the middle.
So while signing another striker remains a possibility if Zirkzee departs, it isn’t a high priority for the recruitment department at the moment, which is why an emotional homecoming for Welbeck this year was never on the cards.
Hall an option
One area that is almost certain to be addressed this summer is left-back, especially if Harry Amass leaves, either on loan or in a permanent deal.
Luke Shaw is the only senior left-back at the club and for all that Amass has impressed in the early weeks of pre-season, it is considered a big step up to play a potentially prominent role in a Champions League season.
Noussair Mazraoui is another option on the left, but he covers right-back as well, and with Shaw’s fitness record always a nagging concern, further strength in depth is required on the left.
United do have Patrick Dorgu, who can cover left-back as well as left-wing, and if Marcus Rashford ends up staying at Old Trafford, which looks likely at the moment, then his role could shift, but there are a lot of variables down this flank.
One of them is the availability or otherwise of Lewis Hall. He fits the profile of left-back United have looked at. He is still only 21, but has plenty of Premier League experience, and could become a long-term solution in that role.
The issue is Newcastle have no need to sell and, if anything, they need to stop the exodus of star players this summer. United could test the waters with a bid, but if a deal is to happen, it is believed Hall will have to make it clear to his employers that he wants the move.
Belgians return
Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans rocked up together for their first day at Carrington in pre-season on Thursday and the duo had returned to the club earlier than expected.
While players are being offered three to four weeks off after the World Cup, Lammens and Tielemans returned less than three weeks after Belgium were knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals.
Both had their reasons for doing so. Lammens didn’t play much during the tournament but came on as a late substitute against Spain and made the error that led to his country getting knocked out. Tielemans missed that game with a minor injury and is keen to make a strong early impression at his new club.
It is expected that the Portuguese duo of Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will return to Carrington at some point in the next few days as their own pre-season campaigns get underway. Fernandes has been a hit on social media recently, wearing a Scotland shirt with Scott McTominay’s name on it for summer workouts and a Croatia jersey with Luka Modric’s name on the back.
A friendly relationship
Tyler Fredricson posted an emotional goodbye to the only club he has ever known on Friday but his permanent move away from Old Trafford comes with a helping hand, with Lausanne-Sport co-owned by Ineos. The two clubs are starting to build a positive and helpful relationship.
That means the Swiss Super League side can get all the data and reports on Fredricson they need and they are delighted to have landed the 21-year-old centre-back on a three-year deal.
Fredricson was close to joining Celtic in January, only for injury to scupper that move. He has been training with United in pre-season, but missed the games against Wrexham and Rosenborg in preparation for his transfer.
While the fee hasn’t been disclosed, United have included a high-percentage sell-on and a buy-back clause into the deal, and there is hope that Fredricson will now really kick on for exposure to high-level first-team football.
Carrington dispatch
Things are starting to heat up for United, and after a couple of friendlies against relatively low-key opposition, in what have felt like relatively low-key events, the standards climb considerably now.
Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will provide a better test, but it will be interesting to see what the atmosphere around the games is like. There is no getting away from the fact that the crowds in Helsinki and Trondheim have been below what is expected.
Late this week, at almost every block in Stockholm’s 50,000-capacity Strawberry Arena, tickets were still available for today’s game.
Quote of the week
“I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me. I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead.”
Marcus Rashford took to social media on Thursday to say what looked to be a final farewell to Barcelona. The 28-year-old had made no secret of the fact that the Nou Camp was his dream destination, but that chapter looks to be closed.
Rashford will return to United in a couple of weeks and, at the moment, all roads lead to reconciliation and another chance at his boyhood club.
What to look out for next week
Dalot and Fernandes are due to return to Carrington next week and we can expect the intensity in training and around the facility to start going up a notch. Fernandes is club captain and Dalot is seen as a leader as well.
There has been a drip of World Cup stars returning to pre-season over the last week or so, but things will start heating up in the next couple of weeks and by the time United head to Wroclaw for their final assignment of pre-season, it is expected the squad will be back together.
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