Every midfield signing Man Utd have made since 2010, problem position goes back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s final seasons

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The transfer window has shut without Manchester United signing a midfielder.

Manchester United made five new signings in the summer transfer window, but missed out on signing a new midfielder, despite expressing an interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

The midfield has been subject to criticism since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final seasons in charge when the Glazers were penny-pinching, while the legendary manager delivered success whilst papering up cracks in the team.

United are now kicking their midfield issues down the line, but they will need to address it next year if they are to continue the squad rebuild under Ruben Amorim.

Without further ado, United In Focus takes a look at every central midfield signing since 2010.

2010: N/A

United did not sign a single midfielder in 2010, with Chris Smalling, Chicharito, and Bebe the main additions to the squad.

2011: N/A

Despite links to Wesley Sneijder, United opted against signing a midfielder. David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young came in. Paul Scholes ended up coming out of retirement midway through the 2011/12 season.

2012: Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell

United signed two attack-minded midfielders, with Shinji Kagawa arriving from Borussia Dortmund and Nick Powell making a jump up from League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra. The Red Devils also sold Ji-sung Park to QPR.

2013: Marouane Fellaini

David Moyes made just one signing his first transfer window as United manager as Marouane Fellaini following the Scot from Everton to United.

2014: Ander Herrera

With Louis van Gaal in charge, United pressed the reset button again, but the midfield was massively overlooked in his first transfer window. Ander Herrera was the only midfield signing as the Spanish midfielder joined from Athletic Club.

2015: Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger

A year into the job, Van Gaal identified the problems that existed in midfield at United. France international Morgan Schneiderlin joined from Southampton along with German icon Bastian Schweinsteiger.

2016: Paul Pogba

In Jose Mourinho’s first window as United manager, the club broke a transfer record to bring Paul Pogba back to the club from Juventus. This was the biggest midfield signing United had made in the post-Ferguson era.

2017: Nemanja Matic

United still required a defensive presence in midfield to partner Pogba in middle of the pitch, which led to Mourinho rekindling his relationship with Nemanja Matic. The Serbia international arrived from Chelsea having won the Premier League on two occasions at Stamford Bridge.

2018: Fred

This underwhelming transfer window eventually led to the sacking of Mourinho, with United failing to deliver on and off the pitch. Brazil international Fred arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk was United’s most expensive signing that summer.

2019: N/A

United strengthened multiple areas of the team in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first transfer window as manager, however, none of the recruits played in central midfield. Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Daniel James all joined the club.

2020: Donny van de Beek

Solskjaer welcomed Donny van de Beek after identifying weaknesses in United’s midfield. The Netherlands international joined from Ajax, where he came through the youth system.

2021: N/A

This was another year when United ignored the need to strengthen in the middle of the pitch, even though Van de Beek didn’t quite go to plan. The recruits that year included Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2022: Christian Eriksen, Casemiro

After spending the entire summer chasing Frenkie de Jong as a prime target, the newly appointed Erik ten Hag had to settle for Casemiro, who joined from Real Madrid. United also secured the signing of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer. These were two players entering the final years of their careers.

2023: Sofyan Amrabat

Penny-pinching led to United’s striking a loan deal for Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina. This was a sign they were yet again kicking the midfield problem down the line. The other signings that summer included Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

2024: Manuel Ugarte

In his final transfer window as manager, Ten Hag wanted a new holding midfielder before United spent an initial £42 million on Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Many hoped this was the signing that would help transform United’s midfield because it was a younger alternative to Casemiro.

2025: N/A

United have opted not to sign a new midfielder this summer, after prioritising other areas of the team for the rebuild led by Amorim, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. United signed five players, including Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.