Manchester United’s long search for a new left-back ended without a signing on deadline day, leaving Michael Carrick to rely on Luke Shaw and makeshift alternatives for the first half of the season.

United explored several options throughout the closing stages of the window, but their preference was increasingly clear: they wanted a high-quality short-term addition rather than committing significant money to a permanent deal they were not fully convinced by.

Man United rejected expensive permanent deals

Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

According to the Manchester Evening News, United made enquiries for Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Manchester City’s Rayan Aït-Nouri, but neither possibility developed.

Barcelona were only prepared to discuss a permanent sale of Balde, while City wanted any Aït-Nouri loan to include an obligation to buy. United had no interest in being tied into either structure.

Ian Maatsen and Ferdi Kadioglu were also checked, while Lewis Hall had been identified as the preferred long-term target.

Newcastle, however, made it clear that Hall would not be sold after losing several senior players during the summer.

United also considered Myles Lewis-Skelly, but the Arsenal youngster was reluctant to leave his boyhood club.

The situation left United searching for a temporary solution late in the window before ultimately deciding that signing the wrong player simply for extra numbers would go against INEOS’ recruitment strategy.

That decision came despite obvious concerns over depth. Sky Sports reported before the deadline that Luke Shaw was United’s only natural senior left-back, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui capable of filling in.

Michael Carrick is taking a massive risk

Luke Shaw and Michael Carrick (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

There is something refreshing about United refusing to make a panic signing.

Previous regimes repeatedly filled short-term gaps with players who offered little long-term value.

If Balde, Aït-Nouri or another target could only be secured on unattractive terms, walking away was arguably the responsible decision.

The problem is that the weakness has not disappeared.

Shaw remains an excellent player when fit, but United cannot confidently expect him to play every match across the Premier League and Champions League. Dalot and Mazraoui can cover the position, but neither gives Carrick the same natural balance on the left.

United have effectively gambled on surviving until January or next summer.

If Shaw remains available, the decision may look sensible. If injuries strike again, however, failing to secure a left-back could become one of the biggest criticisms of an otherwise productive summer window.

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