Manchester United is experiencing a busy start to the transfer window, having already agreed to a deal for Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta for £39 million. The club aims to sign two more midfielders this summer, continuing talks with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes and exploring other options.
A left-sided attacker is also a priority, with Manchester United also looking to sign a left-back and a new second-choice goalkeeper. The club's transfer strategy appears to be moving quickly, similar to their acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the previous year.
Midfield Targets and Competition
Midfield reinforcement has been a primary focus for Manchester United, with the club seeking replacements for Casemiro and potentially Manuel Ugarte. While the Ederson deal faced little competition, the pursuit of Mateus Fernandes has become more complex. West Ham is reportedly aiming to initiate a bidding war for the Portuguese player, with Tottenham Hotspur appearing ready to meet the £85 million asking price. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly monitoring the situation.
Mateus Fernandes is within United's price range, unlike their former top target Elliot Anderson, who is expected to join Manchester City from Nottingham Forest after his valuation increased significantly. The potential £126 million deal for Anderson is seen as a benchmark for transfer fees this summer.
Manchester United remains in discussions with West Ham for Fernandes but has not yet submitted a formal bid. The player's personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle. If a deal for Fernandes proves unsuccessful, Bournemouth's Alex Scott is considered a potential, more affordable alternative. Tyler Adams, also of Bournemouth, is another player admired at Old Trafford.
Other midfielders on United's radar include Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. The club is also monitoring Aurelien Tchouameni's situation at Real Madrid, though the player is understood to prefer staying at the club. United's interest in Sandro Tonali seems to have cooled, with the Italian player attracting strong interest from Manchester City and Tottenham, who have had a £75 million bid rejected by Newcastle.
The signing of a less expensive third midfielder is part of United's strategy, contingent on offloading Manuel Ugarte. Shea Charles was considered, but Leeds United is reportedly leading the chase for him.
Attacker and Defensive Considerations
A left-sided attacker is another key position United aims to strengthen. Crysencio Summerville of West Ham is reportedly high on the list of targets, with West Ham seeking around £50 million for the player. This pursuit is complicated by uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford's future. Rashford's loan spell at Barcelona has ended, with the Catalan club deciding not to exercise an option to buy him for £26 million.
While Barcelona might be interested in Rashford again, Manchester United is reluctant to sanction another loan move. They were previously prepared to sell Rashford for £40 million to Aston Villa and would accept a similar figure from most clubs, excluding Liverpool and Manchester City. The club is keen to reduce his substantial weekly wage, but he remains under contract until 2028. Rashford is reportedly prepared to return for pre-season training with the expectation of being reintegrated into the squad.
The club is also in the market for a left-back to provide cover and competition, particularly given injuries to Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw's history of fitness issues. Newcastle's Lewis Hall has been mentioned as a potential target, but a deal of that magnitude is unlikely given United's current financial priorities. The club is expected to address defensive reinforcements more thoroughly at the end of next season, with contracts for Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez potentially expiring or having options for extension.
Goalkeeper Search
With Senne Lammens establishing himself as the primary goalkeeper following a £21.7 million transfer, Manchester United is seeking a new No. 2. Andre Onana is expected to depart permanently after a loan spell, and Altay Bayindir is also likely to follow. Karl Darlow is a potential target, but he may sign a new contract with Leeds. Wolves and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who began his career at United, is another option being considered. The club may delay a decision until the situations with Onana and Bayindir are resolved. Radek Vitek is expected to feature in pre-season before a potential loan move, provided he commits to a new contract. Veteran Tom Heaton has signed a one-year extension to continue as the third-choice goalkeeper.