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Manchester United have long struggled to find a consistent solution at left-back, but this summer could mark a turning point as the club aims to reinforce the position.

Luke Shaw has spent more than 12 years at Old Trafford, though a series of injuries have prevented him from fully realising his immense potential. Despite starting every Premier League match this season, concerns remain over his ability to stay fit through another demanding campaign.

In recent years, United have brought in Alex Telles and Tyrell Malacia to provide cover for Shaw, but neither player was seen as a long-term replacement for the England international.

Recent reports indicate that INEOS, the club’s co-owners, are evaluating Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall as a possible successor to Shaw. However, he is not the only option under consideration.

Arsenal’s 19-year-old prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly has also emerged as a target for United. The young talent is reportedly eager for more first-team opportunities after starting only four Premier League games this season.

Although Mikel Arteta has recently shown faith in the England U21 international by giving him more minutes, suggesting he might stay at the Emirates Stadium, new reports have added an interesting twist to the story.

According to Sky Sports journalist Danyal Khan, Arsenal are preparing for a major summer spending spree to defend their Premier League title. To fund these moves, the club may need to offload a few players — and selling an academy product like Lewis-Skelly would generate pure profit.

“We reported a few months ago that he’s on United’s list for left-backs. The attraction is that he can play multiple roles, filling in for Luke Shaw and potentially replacing him when his contract ends,” said Khan. “United definitely have him on their shortlist, alongside Lewis Hall. With Lewis-Skelly, it’s an intriguing case because Arsenal might be forced to sell one or two players this summer to reinvest after winning the Premier League.”

In addition to his defensive abilities, Myles Lewis-Skelly is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder — another area Manchester United are looking to strengthen ahead of next season.

The highly rated youngster, described by some as “special”, currently has a market valuation of £30 million according to Transfermarkt. However, Arsenal are expected to demand closer to £50 million, reflecting his potential and versatility. Whether INEOS will sanction such a move remains to be seen.

United have historically enjoyed success when signing players from Arsenal, and the club’s hierarchy may choose to act decisively if Lewis-Skelly becomes available once the summer transfer window opens.