The Premier League is back, but Manchester United are not. Michael Carrick's side were the team to beat after the former midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim in January 2026, crafting an almighty turnaround that has guided the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

That crumbled away against a group of snickering Tigers on Saturday afternoon, with newly-promoted Hull City putting Man United to the sword. It was a big opening-day upset, and moreover, Hull were well worth their money; United were not.

There is work to be done before the end of the transfer window, and the emerging theme after that trip to the MKM Stadium was that INEOS need to sort out their growing problem down Man United's left side.

Why Man United need to fix their left side

Luke Shaw did a decent job against Hull, all told, but the 31-year-old clearly lacks the requisite athleticism after so many years of wear-and-tear. He is out of contract at the end of the season, and Manchester United need a left-back.

INEOS are working on it, in fairness, but it does present something of a conundrum in regard to Patrick Dorgu, who is not an out-and-out winger, but who also lacks the completeness to star as United's first-choice defender. He was far from convincing against Hull.

He was replaced by Marcus Rashford at half-time. It had been an ineffective performance from the Dane, whose dismal attacking play inhibited Carrick's side as they swallowed two strikes from promoted Hull.

Dorgu gave it a good go, striking on goal three times. But he was wasteful and sloppy. Whether Rashford stays or not, the 21-year-old is going to be up against it in nailing down a regular starting berth in the Premier League, be that at left-back or in a more advanced role.

Rashford impressed, comparatively, upon returning to the Premier League in United red. But he failed to unleash a single strike as Man United ramped up the gas - creating a far bit, though.

This all goes to show that Man United have a problem down their left side, and they need to sign themselves left-back.

How Man Utd could replace Dorgu and Shaw

Lewis Hall is Manchester United's top target at left-back, and though he conceded a late penalty as Newcastle drew to Liverpool on Sunday evening, the 21-year-old produced a first-class performance.

But the Magpies are adamant they will not be selling this summer, so INEOS need to look elsewhere. According to Spanish outlet Sport, the perfect fallback could arrive in the shape of Alejandro Balde, who is attracting plenty of interest, but wants to explore a move to Old Trafford ahead of other options. He is said to be excited about the idea of moving to United.

The 22-year-old, who is expected to cost potential suitors around £39m, is not the finished article, but he is unquestionably one of the most exciting full-backs out there right now, having won La Liga last season after starting 21 matches.

Spain international Balde is a rapid defender. He does like to run, blazing forward and stretching lines. In that, he could dwarf Dorgu's impact, bringing pace and physicality to echo the struggling United star while armouring himself with a more solid defensive skillset.

As should be expected from a La Masia graduate, Balde is fantastic on the ball. He completed 92% of his passes in La Liga last season, completing 59% of his dribbles and winning 58.5% of his duels. Each factor placed him in the top bracket, emphasising the kind of robust skillset that the Red Devils need to kick on over the course of the campaign.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the rising star as "pure greatness", another stellar arrival from Barcelona's famed youth system. But whether he would realise his potential in a supporting role at the club remains to be seen. At Man United, with Shaw leaving at the end of the term, there is a doorway ajar for him to cement himself as a mainstay.

That might come at the expense of Dorgu's success in the Premier League - not least because the Denmark international would thus have to rely on his attacking game to nail down a starting role - but Carrick and his side have reached a critical juncture: they cannot afford to fall back into mediocrity now.