Manchester United failed to recruit a left-back in the summer, and Carrick must now assess which squad members can fill that position. Manchester Evening News reports that Baleba and six other players can play as emergency left-back cover to deputise for Luke Shaw if required.

In the final days of the summer transfer window, Manchester United searched extensively for a left-back, with their most surprising approach coming from local rivals.

Manchester United's inquiry to Manchester City about a loan deal for Ait-Nouri demonstrated the club's willingness to think outside the box when recruiting for this position.

After their bid for Lewis Hall was rejected this summer, CEO Omar Berrada and Football Director Jason Wilcox continued their search. Alejandro Balde, Ian Maatsen, and Ait-Nouri were all on their wishlist.

Ultimately, the club could not find a suitable player to strengthen the squad, meaning Carrick will have just one natural left-back for the new season.

Luke Shaw played all 38 Premier League matches last season, but his early-season form has been inconsistent. The 29-year-old needs to prove his body can withstand a more demanding schedule.

Even if he stays fit, Shaw cannot start every match, so Carrick must prepare alternative options. Below is a summary of available squad players.

Mazraoui

The experienced Moroccan defender is primarily a right-back, serving as backup to Diogo Dalot, and must also cover the right flank. However, Carrick did try Lenny Yoro at right-back during pre-season with some success.

Mazraoui is likely the leading candidate to deputise for Shaw. He plays left-back for Morocco's national team, with Hakimi on the right, and performed well in that emergency role at the World Cup.

The 28-year-old has played left-back for Manchester United nine times and has also appeared as centre-back, right-back, and occasionally as an attacking midfielder, demonstrating sufficient versatility to adapt to different tactical needs.

Dalot

Dalot has overcome a poor start to last season and has re-established himself as the primary right-back, looking more comfortable in a back four than as a wing-back.

Moving him to the left would create a clear gap at right-back, but he has played left-back several times during his eight years at Old Trafford.

Dalot has 34 appearances as left-back for Manchester United, and under Amorim, he also played 28 matches as a wing-back on that flank. He prefers the right side, but has proven he can play on the left.

A common issue with both Dalot and Mazraoui is that they are right-footed, unable to provide the same attacking width as a left-footed player.

Dorgu

Dorgu can compensate for this weakness; he is an attacking-minded option. Deploying him as left-back in demanding Premier League or Champions League matches requires caution, but against weaker opponents, he can push forward from deep to initiate attacks.

Manchester United signed Dorgu from Lecce to play as left wing-back, but he rarely featured in that position before Amorim's departure, and the same has been true since Carrick reverted to a back four.

Since then, the Danish winger has excelled on the left wing, with many commentators believing he will eventually move to the right wing. He made 57 appearances for Lecce, playing as a left-back in Serie A when Manchester United signed him in January 2025.

Harry Amass

Amass was expected to depart this summer, but the transfer ultimately fell through. In the final days of the window, Burnley offered £3.5 million for a permanent deal, which Manchester United rejected. Had the offer been higher, the young player would now be at Turf Moor.

Manchester United's willingness to sell or loan Amass suggests he is unlikely to get regular opportunities to replace Shaw. He has not featured in a matchday squad this season and played for the U21 side in Premier League 2 last week.

At least Amass still has the chance to impress in training, and the League Cup third-round tie against Brighton at Old Trafford may offer him an opportunity to play.

Lisandro Martinez

When fit, Martinez is a key player for the team, and his value as a centre-back was evident in the match against Ipswich, where he provided several penetrating passes to launch attacks.

The 26-year-old is left-footed and possesses sufficient technical ability to play as left-back. Tactically, he could be asked to drift into the centre-back line, continuing to utilise his passing strengths.

However, moving him to left-back would create a gap at centre-back, making this option impractical.

Baleba

Baleba could also be considered for this position given he is left-footed. He was Manchester United's primary midfield signing this summer, with the club spending £70 million to bring him in as a midfield anchor.

With at least five midfielders available for selection, Baleba would likely only be repositioned as a last resort, despite never having played left-back. He made only a handful of centre-back appearances during his time at Brighton.

Diego Leon

Many fans mentioned this young Paraguayan player this summer, but the reality is that the 19-year-old has not yet reached first-team standard and rarely trains with Carrick's senior squad.

He has not even featured in the U21 matchday squad this season, and his priority at this stage is adapting to U21 football rather than being fast-tracked to the first team.

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