Manchester United decided not to sign another midfielder in the transfer window, leaving options bare for Ruben Amorim.
Ineos‘ decision to sign three forwards and not a single midfielder is a choice that will be scrutinised as the season goes on.
Even in a season without midweek European football, United will be stretched, amid doubts whether United have the right midfield options in the squad, as well as too few.
Only Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount are listed as midfielders on United’s first team website, with youth team options Dan Gore and Toby Collyer sent out on loan.
A lack of new midfield faces could work to the advantage of the club’s academy talents, who could step up as the season goes ahead.
Here is a look at three rising central midfield talents at Manchester United…
Jacob Devaney
Jacob Devaney is a Republic of Ireland under-21s international who signed his professional contract with the club in 2024.
Devaney, 18, is highly regarded at Manchester United and was spotted competing against Benjamin Sesko in the striker’s first training session at Carrington.
The midfielder first trained with United’s first team at just 16, and played 21 games out of 24 during the under-18s title winning season in 2023/24.
Devaney is a strong passer of the ball with good positional sense, who will be expected to play a starring role for the under-21s this season.
Jayce Fitzgerald
Jayce Fitzgerald, 18, is an England youth international who trained with the first team in 2023 when he was just 16.
Fitzgerald was named on the Manchester United first team bench by former caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
United experimented by playing him at centre-back for the academy last season but his best position is anchoring the midfield in front of the back four.
He has begun this season as a regular for the under-21s, and Ruben Amorim should be paying attention.
Sekou Kone
The best known of the trio, Sekou Kone has been around the first team squads since his move to United from Mali in 2024.
Kone spent last season acclimatising to England and playing under-21s football, and also featured on the club’s postseason tour of Asia.
He went on the preseason tour of the USA although did not play, before suffering an injury blow in the first under-21 game of the season.
Kone remains highly thought of, having been targeted by Barcelona before his move to United.
A loan was considered for the coming season, but United chose to keep him around, and he could be the big winner of the club’s decision not to sign a midfielder.
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