After a substandard start to the season, Manchester United will look to sign a new defender this winter transfer window, as defensive depth has suffered in recent recruitment periods.

The Reds kickstarted Michael Carrick's first campaign as permanent United boss with a 2-0 loss, which was a sign of things to come for his side.

Since then, United have suffered a loss, two underwhelming draws, and a convincing win to newly promoted Ipswich.

Carrick will be hoping to improve the form when the ijnternational break concludes, and the board will need to bolster squad depth in the next transfer window to progress.

United were adamant about signing a new left-back to provide competition for 31-year-old Luke Shaw, who can no longer play every game for the Reds as he did last season.

 Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reports that Lewis Hall was the ideal option, that United were open about their intent to sign him, and that Carrick himself praised him in the press.

But Newcastle set the price tag too high, and now Hall has signed a new contract with the Magpies despite United saying they would be back in for him next summer.

With a  few reports linking the club with players like Jorge Salinas, a young defender for Racing Santander, and two collapsed loan moves for David Raum and Rayan Ait-Nouri on deadline day, United exited the transfer market without a recognised left-back signing.

Carrick has subsequently used Shaw predominantly, but has been forced to fit Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui into the left-back role at times.

Harry Amass was on the verge of earning first-team minutes under Carrick in preseason, having impressed in the brief cameos he's been utilised in, but he seems to have been phased out of the first-team setup, leaving the club short of left-back depth.

It has ben stated by O'Rourke that United see signing anew defender as their top priority during the winter transfer window, despite links to attacking signings, too.

Previous striker target Brian Brobbey has once again been linked with United. The Reds have reignited their interest in the striker following his spectacular performance last season and the continuation of that form at the start of this year.

Brobbey scored eight goals and got one assist in Sunderland's return to the Premier League and was a crucial part of that squad, which qualified for the Europa League for the first time in the club's history.

Brobbey was a target for United under Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, having witnessed him briefly in the Ajax academy.

Pete O'Rourke commented on the Brobbey situation, “For United right now, a new striker is not a top priority."

Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Šeško are the two recognised number nines at the club, with Zirkzee expected to leave within the year. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have also featured through the middle for United, but another central striker is expected to arrive soon