Forget Hall: Man Utd Will Also Regret Failed Summer Move for Alex Scott

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Manchester United made a transfer enquiry for the Three Lions star in the summer

Manchester United chiefs will have been looking on with envious eyes following England's 7-0 demolition of Croatia on Saturday evening.

Man United completed three major summer signings for their first team, as Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba all arrived to transform the club's central midfield, following Casemiro's exit and the long-term injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte while representing Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup.

The Red Devils were also linked with a host of England internationals during the summer, including Newcastle United's Lewis Hall.

It was no secret that club chiefs were looking at signing a new left-back to provide competition for Luke Shaw, with Patrick Dorgu considered to be stronger further up the pitch.

Hall was their top target, but things got difficult when the Magpies had already sold Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in one summer and, understandably, didn't want to lose any more big names.

It meant that Newcastle could put a price tag on his head that was out of United's reach, and they were unable to make any progress on a move for Barcelona's Alejandro Balde either.

Hall isn't the only England international involved against Croatia who United were looking at, with Elliot Anderson being their top midfield target heading into the summer, before he made it clear his preference was to join Manchester City.

Man Utd's Summer Signings

United were also linked with moves for two more central midfield options in James Garner and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who of course can also play left-back, while they were admirers of Morgan Rogers as they considered signing a new left-wing option too.

Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox both knew the now Chelsea player well, but they decided to use their summer budget on strengthening the midfield instead.

It's also been widely reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe would love to sign Harry Kane, but that was never a realistic possibility in the summer with the England captain set to sign a new contract at Bayern Munich shortly.

When United pivoted away from Anderson to other targets, they were also heavily linked with Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who was handed his first England start in Rijeka.

According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs , the Red Devils made a summer enquiry for the Cherries star, but they were told that he wasn't for sale by the south coast outfit.

At Old Trafford, the jury is very much still out on Andrey Santos, whose minutes have been limited since his opening day start in the defeat to newly-promoted Hull City.

Youri Tielemans has done well, but the game against the Tigers highlighted that a partnership between the Belgian and the Brazilian perhaps doesn't work.

Their other addition, Baleba, is yet to play a single minute as he recovers from injury, although he could be in line to make his debut against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.

Alex Scott vs Croatia

- Minutes: 70 - Touches: 81 - Accurate passes: 68/74 - Pass accuracy: 92% - Accurate long balls: 3/5 - Defensive contributions: 5 - Tackles: 3 - Recoveries: 3 - Duels won: 4/6

What is clear from his performances for Bournemouth, and then in his Three Lions bow, is that Scott is a very good player, and whoever ends up signing him when he does leave the Cherries will be very lucky.

Scott stepped up to the plate in Rijeka and showcased his talents, and was completely unfazed by the level of player around him, including opposite midfield number Luka Modric.

His manager, Thomas Tuchel, was really impressed by what he saw from the 23-year-old in the crucial Nations League fixture.

> First start and what a start and what a performance. He is just so smooth at the moment on the ball, decision-making is at the highest level. The complete package at the moment.

United chiefs may have a few transfer regrets from the summer, but not being able to do a deal for Alex Scott might be one of the biggest based on what we saw on Saturday evening.

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