'I would have been perfect Man Utd signing and will replace Luke Shaw for England'

Manchester United will line up to face Newcastle who have a player who could have been an ideal signing as they scour the market for a left back.

Lewis Hall will make his 23rd appearance of the season and try to further cement his reputation as one of the Premier League's most promising young defenders.

With Ruben Amorim reportedly considering moves for a new left wing-back in January or the summer, a player like Hall—talented, consistent, and full of potential—would have been an ideal addition to United's squad.

When Newcastle paid a fee that could rise to £35 million for teenage left-back Lewis Hall last summer, many questioned the move.

After all, Hall had made just nine Premier League appearances for Chelsea, and it was unclear if he was ready to justify such an investment.

Manchester United fans may remember Hall's goals during Newcastle's 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Old Trafford and United’s 3-2 Premier League victory in May.

However, doubts surrounding his potential only grew during his initial season on Tyneside.

Hall had to wait until November for his first Premier League start, which came in a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth where he was substituted at halftime.

A similar scenario occurred in Newcastle’s Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund, prompting speculation about whether manager Eddie Howe truly trusted him.

Despite the early struggles, Howe remained steadfast in his public support.

“He has played really well this season. He has been very consistent,” Howe said earlier this month. “He has been a real shining light in that aspect by being the same Lewis, home or away. For someone so young, that is hard to do."

Howe emphasized Hall’s technical ability and room for growth: “His technical delivery has been outstanding, building attacks.

His final ball can improve, but great to see him get two assists so far. Defensively, he has been pretty good, but there are still areas to improve and develop. He’s moving in the right direction, but for someone so young, his maturity levels have been really good.”

A spate of injuries gave Hall the opportunity to start the last five games of last season, and his improvement since then has been remarkable.

This season, Hall has played in every Newcastle game, becoming one of Howe's most dependable players as Newcastle sits fifth in the Premier League heading into Monday’s match at Old Trafford.

Hall’s performances earned him a call-up to the England senior squad in November, where he came off the bench in a 3-0 win over Greece and played the full 90 minutes in a 5-0 victory against Ireland.

Interim England head coach Lee Carsley was impressed, and Hall seems poised to make Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad in March—fittingly, as it was Tuchel who handed Hall his professional debut at Chelsea.

“I am still really young. Every single time I play for England, no matter what age group, I am really grateful," Hall said in an interview with The Mirror after his first senior call-up.

“To be in this camp now is something I am truly grateful for. Right now, I am just trying to learn from other people who have been in the squad for a while.”

Hall also spoke about his admiration for Luke Shaw, England’s incumbent left-back: “Luke Shaw is someone I watched a lot when he played for England, and I really like a lot of things he does in his game.

"He is someone I can, not become because I want to be my own player, but take parts of his game to put into my game, and one day I can play regularly for England.”

Shaw, however, faces stiff competition. Injuries have limited his availability, and no serious challenger has emerged to secure the left-back role in his absence.

Hall, on the other hand, is thriving and has the England starting spot firmly in his sights as the team begins its 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

For United, the contrast is stark. Shaw, plagued by injuries, had only recently returned after nine months out before sustaining another hamstring issue.

Tyrell Malacia remains on a minutes restriction after over a year out, forcing Diogo Dalot to deputize in an unnatural left-wing-back role.