Man Utd transfer window graded as Lewis Hall deal must happen in January

Another transfer window has come and gone, and once again Manchester United fans will be left with a lingering sense of disappointment.After a turbulent 2025/26 campaign, bookended by the departure of Casemiro, it was clear the Red Devils would need to invest this summer. From the off, it seemed that was what they would do, but a proactive July was followed by a drifting August and aimless Deadline Day. All told, just three new faces - all midfielders - have come through the door.United will make their long-awaited return to the Champions League in a week, and some key questions surrounding the depth and quality of the squad have gone unanswered this summer.Here, Standard Sport assesses the good, the bad and the ugly of United’s summer shopping...Youri TielemansGettyThe GoodUnited’s initiative in this transfer window cannot be faulted. Casemiro’s departure in May meant there could only really be one item on the shopping list, and, as rivals sat on their hands waiting for the World Cup to end, United moved quickly to add Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans before the end of July. They can also take some amount of pride in finally getting a deal for long-standing target Carlos Baleba over the line, completing the thorough midfield overhaul. The move took little agency on United’s part, but allowing Jadon Sancho to depart as a free agent at the end of last season will prove a handy boost, if only for getting his £300,000-a-week wages off the books.The BadUnfortunately, this window has closed with more cons than pros for United.United were linked with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall throughout the window as an upgrade on 31-year-old Luke Shaw, who has appeared off the pace in the early days of the campaign, but they neglected to bid. Harry Amass is not at the required calibre, while Rayan Ait-Nouri, in whom United reportedly took an interest about two hours before the window closed, would have been little more than a panic option.A decent centre-back might not have gone amiss, either, amid Harry Maguire’s dubious early-season form.Joshua Zirkzee’s situation also remains curious. He had looked to leave the club this summer in search of improved first-team minutes, but he saw moves to Juventus and Everton fall through in the last days of the window. He was marginalised after Carrick’s January appointment, and now seems to be in for another season on the fringes.There was an odd Deadline Day episode as United went in for Louis Page, Leicester’s 18-year-old midfielder, but saw their move fall through after failing to agree a fee. For a club of United’s stature, signing youth prospects from League One sides should be bread-and-butter business. To fall short was not a great look for United’s sporting directors.Elsewhere, United might regret failing to find a permanent new home for goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has returned to Trabzonspor for a second loan spell in as many seasons. The problem of his future will need to be solved again next summer.GettyThe GradeUnited’s midfield refresh was long overdue and appears to have been handled cleverly - time will be the test there. They lose points, however, for failing to address defensive frailties, and a lack of quality depth could prove problematic once European football starts to congest the fixture schedule. Grade: C-What is needed in January?United’s transfer strategy has been nicely chaptered in recent seasons. Last summer was focused on the attack, this summer the midfield, and so it necessarily follows January will bring defence under the microscope - or so supporters will hope.Read MoreThe next few months of football might present new problem positions, but as things stand, a top-tier left-back should be a priority.The club demonstrated plenty of patience and tenacity in its pursuit of Baleba. There is no reason not to apply the same policy to Hall.