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Manchester United are expected to bring in a left-back before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

There are two main reasons behind that push. First, Luke Shaw, unlike last season, cannot be relied upon to play every match, and asking him to do so in a campaign packed with fixtures would almost certainly leave him overworked.

Apart from the danger of overburdening Shaw, rival teams have also started to view the United No. 23 as a vulnerable point.

Michael Carrick wants his left-back to overlap, while the left winger moves inside to operate closer to the box.

But Shaw is no longer as athletic as he once was, which means United are often slow to cover the space he leaves when he pushes forward, and he also finds it difficult to recover and match opponents for pace when tracking back.

That is why United need another option — someone with top-level athleticism, an endless engine and the ability to dominate the entire left flank.

Lewis Hall could have suited that role, but he is unlikely to leave Newcastle United this summer. The understanding is that he is a player the Red Devils are targeting for next summer, with hopes of repeating the Carlos Baleba-style transfer approach.

With an entire season still to be played before they can move for their preferred target, the Red Devils are weighing up other options for the short term.

A number of players have already been looked at, and now Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider says an Aston Villa player has joined that shortlist.

He reports, “Manchester United have made an enquiry for Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen as they search to bring in a new left-back.”

As an alternative to Hall, Ian Maatsen would appear to be an excellent fit. In fact, if United were to sign him, it could even cast doubt on whether they would go back in for the Newcastle United left-back later on.

The Aston Villa man is an explosive and highly technical modern left-back, known for driving forward, beating opponents off the dribble and moving into central areas during build-up play. He offers precisely the profile Carrick wants in that position.

Even so, with the season already under way and Aston Villa ambitious after winning the Europa League and eager to compete strongly, it seems unlikely they would approve the sale of one of their important players so close to deadline day.

Overall credibility: 5/10 Why?

✅ United’s search for a left-back is well reported

⚠️ Comes from a not-so-reliable source for Premier League transfer news

⚠️ Just an enquiry, not an offer

Our view is that, with Manchester United being linked with a left-back despite no clear certainty over their final choice, many names such as Maatsen’s are likely to emerge, but for now it remains unclear who they will eventually sign.