ไทย
English
中國人
Manchester United have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, with seven weeks still remaining before the window shuts. Yet despite announcing three new signings this week, the task of shaping the squad for a return to Champions League football is far from complete.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans go some way toward rebuilding a midfield stripped bare by Casemiro's exit and Manuel Ugarte's extended injury absence. Depth was already a concern, made all the more pressing given that the number of fixtures in 2026–27 will increase by at least eight—and potentially far more—compared to last season.
The goalkeeping situation has been resolved. Karl Darlow arrives as a reliable understudy for Senne Lammens—whose World Cup mistake does nothing to diminish his standing as one of the Premier League's finest shot-stoppers—while veteran third-choice Tom Heaton has also put pen to paper on a new deal. Heaton's contribution matters far more behind closed doors and on the training ground.
André Onana is spending a second season on loan at Trabzonspor, a move that also appears to signal the end of Altay Bayındır's time at the club. A return to Türkiye in pursuit of a starting berth seems the most likely outcome.
However, left back and left wing remain two critical areas that need attention. Depending on how far the budget extends—and whether any player sales can provide additional funds—a backup striker is also worth exploring to ease the demands of competing across four competitions once again.
Defensive Midfield
Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo share a similar profile—intelligent, technically gifted midfielders who won't win foot races or throw themselves into challenges. Santos is somewhat more defensively oriented but is still far from a like-for-like replacement for the combative role Casemiro filled over four years. The young Brazilian is more inclined to screen than to press aggressively for the ball.
United now have the tools to circulate possession effectively, which takes players such as Adam Wharton off their radar following the arrivals of Tielemans and, to a lesser degree, Santos.
Disrupting opponents and winning possession back demands a different set of qualities. Atalanta's Éderson could have provided that, and there are still conflicting reports as to whether United's interest has fully cooled or might be rekindled at a later stage.
Carlos Baleba represents the Premier League-tested option, and is not expected to command anything close to the £100 million ($134 million) Brighton & Hove Albion were asking for the Cameroonian last year. His 2025–26 campaign was a step down from his 2024–25 form, and he bears much of the responsibility for that, but the skillset that helped the Seagulls finish eighth that year remains intact and would complement both Tielemans and Mainoo.
The aptly-named Manu Koné is the alternative option who, despite a strong World Cup boosting his market value this summer, is still expected to come at a considerably lower price. Italian media have quoted a figure of £51 million ($68 million) for the Roma and France international.
Left Back
Luke Shaw's remarkable comeback last season—starting all 38 Premier League games after managing just 16 across the previous two campaigns combined—was a timely boost that helped underpin a top-three finish.
However, at 31 years old, with a lengthy injury history and no natural backup, United require both immediate cover and a long-term heir to the position. Not long ago, Patrick Dorgu might have been assumed to fill that role, but the Denmark international has since shown a greater aptitude further forward.
United didn't need to address the left back slot last season because there was no problem to solve. Currently, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are the best available cover, though using them there weakens their own natural positions.
Lewis Hall stands out as a player who could share duties with Shaw before eventually taking over the role entirely. The 21-year-old has flourished at Newcastle United since taking a leap of faith by departing Chelsea in 2023, and may feel that either he—or Shaw—deserved a place in England's World Cup squad. Newcastle's willingness to sell is likely to have diminished following the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Another Premier League name in the frame is Antonee Robinson of Fulham. He is a highly capable attacking left back with a proven record of contributing assists, though he would represent a shorter-term solution given that his next birthday—arriving next month—will be his 29th.
Alejandro Balde could be a more unexpected option to consider. The Barcelona academy product is still only 22, but has a recent history of muscular injuries. If Hall is the priciest option, Robinson would be the most affordable, with Balde sitting somewhere in between.
Left Wing
United went through last season without a recognised winger on the left side. Dorgu eventually shifted there but then spent several weeks on the sidelines through injury. Even when fit, he only partially fills the role if the ideal is to have two players competing for every position.
Matheus Cunha did an excellent job deputising but is better suited to a central role and cannot offer the kind of natural width associated with the storied 'United way.'
Marcus Rashford remains an option if no suitors emerge—and he will report for preseason training as usual in that scenario—but a clean break for all parties may still be the preferred outcome.
A player like Anthony Gordon would have been ideal, until Barcelona moved swiftly to secure his signature. Yan Diomande was among the more expensive options considered, but has reportedly indicated a preference for Paris Saint-Germain should he move on this summer.
Enable functional cookies to see this feature.
Crysencio Summerville has emerged as a leading target, offering far better value than Morgan Rogers, whose apparent £130 million ($174 million) price tag makes him prohibitive, and he is the direct, attack-minded winger that United supporters love to watch. Iliman Ndiaye is a more modest version of Rogers, while Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been mentioned as a target from further afield—the youngster is just 21 years old.
Should a left winger be secured, it would also reduce the urgency for an additional striker to support Benjamin Šeško, as Cunha would be freed up to rotate more naturally alongside the Slovenian.