Manchester United are planning to make a deadline-day signing, but he’s unlikely to be Alejandro Balde.
The Red Devils were expected to go guns blazing for a new left-back before the market door slams shut on Tuesday night.
But with only a few hours separating us from the deadline, there is no sign of a new arrival at Carrington, at least not one who would bolster the full-back department.
Man Utd’s deadline-day business: Louis Page in, Alejandro Balde out
On Tuesday afternoon, some sources from Spain claimed Man Utd will make a last-ditch attempt to sign Balde from Barcelona.
Balde has fallen down Hansi Flick’s pecking order, and has been heavily linked with the Premier League giants.
However, Sky Sports journalist Danyal Khan was quick to quash the rumour, insisting that MUFC are only expected to sign young Leicester midfielder Louis Page on deadline day.
“Understand reports in Spain suggesting MUFC are looking again at Alejandro Balde are wide of the mark,” posted the United correspondent on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“At this point, outside of Louis Page, unlikely any incomings are arriving this evening, including a left-back.”
🚨 Manchester United continue talks with #lcfc over the signing of midfielder Louis Page.
Club working on securing the 18-year-old’s signature before tonight’s deadline – understand fee will have to be well over £8m to get the deal done.
Potential outcome is Page being loaned… https://t.co/CCKtxQdEz3
— Danyal Khan (@DanyalHKhan) September 1, 2026
Page is an 18-year-old midfielder who is already a regular starter in Leicester’s first team. The Red Devils are trying to close a deal that could reach £10 million, and have seemingly made important progress already.
Will Man Utd regret not signing a left-back?
United appear destined to navigate what will be a packed campaign with Luke Shaw as their only senior left-back.
19-year-old Harry Amass should thus be kept as a backup, while Patrick Dorgu is originally a left-back before being morphed into an attacking midfielder under Michael Carrick’s tutelage, could be dropped back to a deeper role.
Moreover, Noussair Mazraoui looks equally competent when switching to the left side of the backline, but he also has to support Diogo Dalot on the right, unless the manager intends to use Leny Yoro at right-back more often going forward.
Therefore, Carrick will have to do with some internal solutions, but none of them looks particularly convincing.
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