Manchester United have been doing rigorous background checks on transfer targets to ensure they are signing the right players who will improve the team on the pitch as well as off it.
Five players joined Manchester United in the summer, including Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who arrived having already proven themselves in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim will be mindful of targets for 2026 to continue improving his squad, after Mbeumo has started the 2025/26 campaign with six goals to his name. The Cameroon international also won the Premier League Player of the Month award for October.
The priority area that needs strengthening at United is the midfield, with several targets being reported by the mainstream media. Most of them are playing in the Premier League, such as Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
However, United are being linked with Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo, which suggests they are also eyeing a move for players in other positions.
That shouldn’t take anything away from the midfield being a prioritised area to strengthen, with United also eyeing a move for one of Semenyo’s teammates at Bournemouth.
Man Utd monitoring Antoine Semenyo’s close friend at Bournemouth
United In Focus ran a story earlier this month as Bournemouth’s Alex Scott became a target for the Red Devils.
After a bit of digging, we have found an old interview with United-linked Semenyo, where he talks about his friendship with Bournemouth’s midfield ace.
Semenyo revealed what he would get up to during his free time, which included walking his dog and spending time with his teammates at Bournemouth’s unofficial coffee club.
“It’s Alex Scott, James Hill, Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Christie from time to time, Dean Huijsen as well,” Semenyo told BBC Sport in 2024.
“We just go after training and sit there for three, four hours, to spend time with each other.
“I feel like that chemistry that we have off the pitch goes on to the pitch.”
Scott, 22, is playing a key role in Bournemouth’s midfield after a flying start to the season.
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Recent performances led to Scott earning a call-up for the England squad this month, meaning that he is now ahead of United starlet Kobbie Mainoo in the pecking order.
The midfield ace joined Bournemouth in 2023 from Bristol City in a £25 million deal.
With Casemiro expected to leave and Mainoo not getting sufficient game time, Scott could be one to keep an eye on this season.
Alex Scott record vs Man Utd
Scott has only made one appearance against United, which ended in a 1-1 draw last season.
The young midfielder played 72 minutes in his first game against the Red Devils.
United host Bournemouth on 15 December, which will be a chance for Scott to make his second appearance against Ruben Amorim’s side.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 19 |
| 5 |  TottenhamTottenham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 18 |
| 6 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 18 |
| 7 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 18 |
| 8 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 18 |
| 9 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 18 |
It will be a chance for Scott to have an audition in front of Amorim.
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