Lewis Hall has confirmed Manchester United wanted to sign him during the summer and revealed why he decided to remain at Newcastle United.
The England left-back was the subject of an enquiry from United as the club considered long-term options for the position.
Newcastle rejected United’s approach, and Hall has now acknowledged that he was aware of the interest.
The 22-year-old viewed United’s interest positively, regarding it as evidence that his performances were attracting attention from major clubs.
But a conversation with new Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle helped convince him that his future remained at St James’ Park.
Hall said Newcastle’s plans under Jaissle, combined with the club’s summer recruitment, persuaded him that staying was the right decision.
He described the decision as a “no-brainer”.
The confirmation adds further detail to a transfer pursuit that had already been widely reported during the summer.
Sky Sports reported on 7 August that Newcastle had rejected an initial enquiry from United for Hall.
The report described Hall as a long-term United target and a player being considered as a potential successor to Luke Shaw.
United ultimately failed to secure the left-back, while Newcastle made retaining Hall one of their priorities.
On 11 September, Newcastle announced that Hall had signed a new long-term contract.
Sporting director Ross Wilson said keeping the defender had been one of the club’s major objectives during the summer.
Hall’s new deal significantly strengthens Newcastle’s position over his future.
Reports nevertheless suggest United’s interest has not disappeared and that the club could revisit the player in the future.
There is no indication that a new approach has been made.
Hall’s comments confirm that United’s summer interest was genuine, but any future pursuit remains a matter of transfer reporting rather than a confirmed plan from Old Trafford.
For United, the episode also provides another indication that left-back is being considered as part of the club’s longer-term recruitment strategy.
Shaw remains an important member of Michael Carrick’s squad, but Hall’s age and Premier League experience made him an obvious candidate for a longer-term role.
This summer, however, Hall chose Newcastle.
And after hearing Jaissle’s plans for the club, he says that decision was straightforward.
