Left, united, repeated something outstanding (4)

I believe the answer is:

lulu

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'something outstanding' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'left united repeated' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'united' becomes 'U' (abbreviation).
'repeated' indicates the doubling of some letters.
'l'+'u'='lu'
'lu' duplicated is 'LULU'.

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(Other definitions for lulu that I've seen before include "modern opera" , "Berg opera; outstanding thing (colloq.)" , "Outstanding example of its kind - Alban Berg opera - Scottish pop singer, b. 1948" , "Outstanding person or thing" , "Attractive girl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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