Man Utd Eyes Three Star Targets to Finally Solve Their Most Pressing Problem

Manchester United are expected to adopt an aggressive strategy when pursuing a new central midfielder during the upcoming summer transfer window and are set to "spearhead efforts" ahead of competing clubs in the market.

United concentrated their recruitment activities during the previous summer transfer period on offensive talents to tackle a significant issue that contributed to last season's historically poor Premier League campaign. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško were all secured for substantial fees, while a final deadline day move also brought goalkeeper Senne Lammens into the squad.

The club expressed interest in Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba but negotiations failed to advance.

United have struggled with midfield dominance in the opening stages of the 2025–26 season and acquiring a defensive midfielder remains a priority target. The Daily Telegraph reports that Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton "perfectly match the profile" that United—along with other clubs—are seeking.

Baleba, just 21 years old but carrying a valuation exceeding £100 million ($134.5 million) according to Brighton, was initially scouted by Lille and transferred to France as early as FIFA regulations permitted in 2022. Despite having featured in merely 23 senior matches, Brighton invested £23.2 million to acquire his services 18 months afterward.

Anderson, aged 22, and Wharton, also 21, possess comparable qualities. Both represent emerging prospects with their prime years still to come, while simultaneously having established themselves in Premier League competition, earning call-ups to England's senior national team through their performances with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace respectively.

Any member of this talented trio could provide the ideal enhancement to Ruben Amorim's squad, which requires a dynamic presence in midfield to provide cohesion within his widely-analyzed 3-4-2-1 formation.

The Portuguese manager has typically deployed Casemiro, 33, alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes, a player arguably more effective in an advanced playmaker position, in Premier League matches this season. Manuel Ugarte replaced Casemiro for the Manchester derby, representing the only league encounter the Uruguayan has begun.

Kobbie Mainoo's single start across all competitions occurred during the surprising Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby Town last month.