Man Utd's 2025 Summer Signings: Rating Every Deal That Shaped Their Squad

Manchester United required a successful transfer window this summer to provide the foundation needed to climb back up the Premier League standings following a historically disappointing season.

The Red Devils finished 15th in 2024–25, seven positions below their previous worst placement in the post-1992 period. United suffered more defeats (18) than victories (11) for the first time in 35 years, and managed only 1.16 goals per match in the league on average.

Ruben Amorim's appointment during the season introduced a completely different tactical approach, one that has required adaptation time and fresh players to implement effectively.

United continue to be a developing project, showing promise in a commanding display against Arsenal while failing to convert that into a favorable outcome. They have since performed well in segments against Fulham and Burnley, earning four points from those encounters, but have also endured the embarrassment of a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.

Best Signing: Bryan Mbeumo

United's primary issue in 2024–25 wasn't allowing goals, it was struggling to find the net frequently enough. Throughout the entire league season, they failed to score on 15 occasions, nearly half their total matches. This meant that, far too often, when a less than solid defense allowed even one goal, securing victory became significantly more difficult.

The attacking third was the clear area requiring reinforcement. United acted decisively early by activating the £62.5 million ($84 million) release clause in Matheus Cunha's deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Brazilian having scored 15 goals and provided six assists for one of the few teams that finished beneath his new club.

Securing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford required more time following a disagreement over the transfer price—a total package valued at £71 million was eventually reached. However, the Cameroon international already appears to be an excellent acquisition, having proven himself in the Premier League with 20 goals in the competition last season, and providing United with a more direct attacking approach.

Immediately against Arsenal, Mbeumo's danger was evident, serving as the consistent outlet into the right inside channel as United focused on rapid transitions from defense to attack. With increased understanding across the forward line, he looks set to become an excellent new source of chance creation and goals, finding the back of the net in the league for the first time during the 3–2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford.

Biggest Gamble: Benjamin Sesko

While Cunha and Mbeumo have proven their capacity to score and create goals in the Premier League, United's most costly summer signing has not.

Benjamin Šeško possesses significant potential but remains an unfinished talent. The 22-year-old scored 14 and 13 league goals during his two Bundesliga campaigns, decent but not exceptional returns.

Circumstances didn't align favorably for Rasmus Højlund during his tenure as United's primary No. 9 and the Dane has moved to Napoli on loan with a £38 million purchase obligation next summer. Amorim seems to be taking precautions not to place excessive pressure on his new striker to prevent similar disappointment.

Šeško's three Premier League outings have all come from the bench as he adjusts more gradually to life in the Manchester United spotlight and the expectations that accompany it, particularly for someone with a total price tag exceeding £70 million.

It's already clear that Šeško will be responsible for converting the opportunities that teammates create for him, functioning as a penalty box striker rather than someone involved in overall play. The Slovenia international managed only eight ball touches when he entered for the final 18 minutes plus added time against Burnley, two of which were wayward headers from promising positions. He must become more clinical to be the goalscorer United desperately need, but the ability is present.

Shrewd Business: Senne Lammens

After United had acquired three new forwards, plus teenage Paraguayan defender Diego León, Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens became the final addition among the summer's five new signings.

The goalkeeper position has faced enormous scrutiny, dating back to before David de Gea's departure in 2023 divided opinions. Amorim has preferred Altay Bayındır in the Premier League, while André Onana has been relegated to the Carabao Cup catastrophe after missing pre-season through injury. Neither have displayed peak form and it appears United are seeking to secure the position long-term

Emiliano Martínez was available and reportedly eager to transfer from Aston Villa. The Argentine holds the Yashin Trophy and is the current Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper, but a deal lacked financial logic, with Martínez already earning substantial wages and Villa expected to demand approximately twice what United have agreed to pay for Lammens.

The 23-year-old is also younger and has been predicted to eventually succeed Belgian icon Thibaut Courtois as the nation's No. 1 goalkeeper in the future.

Lammens wasn't recruited to immediately become United's No. 1. His initial function remains somewhat unclear, with reports only indicating that he is meant to challenge for that position, beneficially reducing some pressure when the attention is already extremely intense.

Man Utd's Transfer Window Grade

United's two primary goals in the transfer window, bolstering the attack and moving on players not included in Amorim's plans, were mostly accomplished.

Regarding the latter, the club will absorb significant losses on Antony following his permanent transfer to Real Betis and the previously mentioned Højlund. However, there is at least a chance to close the chapter on both and progress. Alejandro Garnacho's £40 million departure to Chelsea is regarded as 'pure profit' under PSR regulations, while there is a 10% sell-on provision, though some might contend United should have demanded a higher fee.

No permanent departure materialized for Marcus Rashford, yet Barcelona helpfully agreed to assume his complete salary, representing a massive saving in the Old Trafford budget. Aston Villa will also contribute to some of Jadon Sancho's wages, with the possibility of a second loan in 2026–27. Arranging permanent transfers for both would have been ideal, but neither will remain stranded in Manchester and there remains a chance for the duo to perform their way toward a more profitable and definitive exit.

Where United supporters might feel disappointed is the absence of a new central midfielder. That section of the team has looked exposed in the early weeks of 2025–26, but pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba led nowhere due to an excessive price tag. Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller is believed to have rejected a potential move to remain in the Bundesliga for another year.

Solid, not flawless, but certainly not poor seems a fitting assessment.

Overall Grade: B

Man Utd Incoming Transfers: Summer 2025

Man Utd Outgoing Transfers: Summer 2025