Man Utd still hopeful Arsenal can be persuaded to sell Myles Lewis-Skelly as they seek left-back for Michael Carrick

MANCHESTER UNITED are still hopeful Arsenal could be persuaded to sell Myles Lewis-Skelly despite his recent starts. Lewis-Skelly, 19, has generated interest from United and Chelsea but lined up in Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield and Premier League triumphs against Manchester City and Coventry. Lewis-Skelly has started in both of Arsenal’s games this season Credit: Getty Arsenal beat Coventry 3-0 on Friday Credit: Getty Well-placed sources said Lewis-Skelly’s starting role is partly due to Martin Zubimendi’s struggles and the late return of Mikel Merino, who appeared in Spain’s World Cup final victory. Arsenal value Lewis-Skelly north of £50million and the unlikeliness of a club meeting their asking price has fuelled Mikel Arteta’s confidence in keeping the academy graduate. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Arteta said he was “100 per cent” certain that Lewis-Skelly would stay. Lewis-Skelly started in only two Premier League matches before the final month of last season amid Arteta’s reservations about his lack of maturity. But he ended up starting in the Champions League semi-final second leg win against Atletico Madrid and the final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. United want to bring in a left back before the 11pm transfer deadline on September 1 but feel Lewis-Skelly is overpriced. The versatile Arsenal starlet can play left-back as well as central midfield, where he has started this season for the Gunners. Newcastle left back Lewis Hall was United’s prime target but the Magpies took measures to dampen talk of a move. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Hall, 21, would be keen on making the switch but Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes for nearly £250m. United belatedly decided to move for a left back after Barcelona passed on their option to buy Marcus Rashford. Luke Shaw is into his 13th season at United and has entered the final year of his contract, which does not include the option of an additional year. United are prepared to sell 19-year-old left back Harry Amass, who was involved during pre-season but failed to make the bench for the 2-0 defeat at Hull City on Saturday. Michael Carrick wants an additional left-back Credit: Getty Patrick Dorgu, initially signed as a left wing back, can play at left back while right backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have also both played on the opposite side. United were breached by two set pieces in their opening Premier League loss to Hull. Hull manager Sergej Jakirović revealed that they had targeted United’s set-up at dead-ball kicks in their final pre-match training session on Friday. Comment now