Man Utd's Transfer Window Far From Over: Four Critical Signings Still Required Despite Mbeumo Breakthrough

Manchester United's summer recruitment drive has been slow to gain momentum, but progress is finally emerging under Ruben Amorim's guidance.

After an abysmal 2024–25 season, the Red Devils recognize that extensive squad reinforcement is essential to reclaim their status among England's top clubs. The £62.5 million acquisition of Matheus Cunha represents an encouraging beginning to their reconstruction efforts, while the £71 million agreement with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo adds another thrilling dimension to their plans.

However, the rebuilding project at Old Trafford remains incomplete. United urgently require strengthening across multiple positions if they hope to challenge for European qualification and domestic silverware next season, demanding substantial financial commitment to achieve this transformation.

Here are four targets United should pursue following Mbeumo's confirmed arrival—though securing all four appears financially challenging.

Diogo Costa

André Onana experienced a catastrophic first campaign at United, with only slight improvement shown by the Cameroon keeper in his second year. An injury has already disrupted his preparation for the upcoming season, while his backup Altay Bayındır has failed to inspire confidence during his opportunities between the posts.

The goalkeeping department represents a position United may strengthen this summer, with Emiliano Martínez being discussed as he nears an Aston Villa departure. Nevertheless, Porto's Diogo Costa emerges as another potential target, and the 25-year-old would represent a superb acquisition.

Amorim is familiar with his fellow Portuguese through the frequent encounters between Porto and the manager's previous club Sporting CP in recent seasons, while Costa serves as Portugal's established first-choice keeper. He impressed at last summer's European Championship, further attracting Europe's top clubs, and excelled during this year's UEFA Nations League triumph.

Costa combines exceptional shot-stopping abilities with penalty-saving expertise, while also demonstrating strong distribution skills and penalty area dominance. With potentially another decade of football ahead, he has development potential but would immediately improve upon the mistake-prone Onana.

Gonçalo Inácio

An even closer acquaintance of Amorim's is his former Sporting center-back Gonçalo Inácio. Another Portugal international, this adaptable defender has maintained remarkable consistency in Portuguese football since breaking into Sporting's first team in 2020, accumulating 213 total appearances for the Lisbon club—187 under Amorim's management.

The left-footed 23-year-old already understands Amorim's tactical approach and system, making him an ideal addition to United's defensive setup. Fitting seamlessly into the left side of a three-man defense, he possesses the required abilities both with and without the ball to meet Amorim's expectations. Inácio has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool in past windows, and despite those moves not materializing, he remains capable of starring for a European powerhouse.

He placed in the top one percent of central defenders in last season's Champions League for progressive passing distance per game, while ranking in the top four percent for pass completion rate among positional counterparts. Defensively, he featured in the top nine percent for successful tackles and blocks.

United possess some quality center-back options, but few—if any—can rival Inácio's class and leadership. With Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans departing as free agents, the Red Devils also lack depth in defense.

Carlos Baleba

United's most significant weakness last season was their dysfunctional midfield. Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system employs only two central midfielders, frequently leaving the Red Devils outnumbered and outmuscled in the middle of the park. They cannot afford such vulnerability in this vital area next campaign.

Kobbie Mainoo shows tremendous promise and Manuel Ugarte could flourish under Amorim in coming years, but with Christian Eriksen's departure, Mason Mount's poor form, and Casemiro nearing 34, central reinforcement is necessary. Bruno Fernandes can play deeper but his limited defensive awareness can expose United when he features in the double pivot.

Rather than pursuing world football's biggest names, United could simply look to England's southern coastline. Carlos Baleba would be a remarkable signing to strengthen their fragile midfield, with the 21-year-old developing into an extraordinary talent since joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023. Once again, the Seagulls have discovered and developed a precious asset.

Baleba certainly wouldn't be inexpensive, but he would deliver the aggression, determination, and defensive stability United desperately need. He has become crucial to Brighton's approach, shielding the back four effectively and showing remarkable composure under pressure in an adventurous, high-risk team.

Benjamin Šeško

Cunha and Mbeumo will certainly enhance United's attacking threat in 2025–26 following an extremely disappointing campaign offensively. Both players are skilled creators and scorers, but neither are traditional strikers and will probably function in attacking midfield roles within Amorim's setup.

Following Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund's terrible performances last season, United cannot tolerate such wastefulness again. Acquiring a clinical and commanding striker represents crucial business before the transfer window closes.

Having apparently lost the Viktor Gyökeres pursuit to Arsenal, United might target the Gunners' alternative striker option: Benjamin Šeško. The powerful and highly-regarded RB Leipzig forward ranks among Europe's most exciting talents after several outstanding seasons in Germany, scoring 39 goals across all competitions for his club over the previous two campaigns.

The 6'5 giant is celebrated for his pace and work rate, with enormous room for growth considering he's only 22 years old. While he would require another substantial fee—approximately £65-75 million—his athleticism and technical ability are unquestionable. Whether he could avoid the same struggles as other expensive signings at Old Trafford remains uncertain.