Assessing Manchester United’s 2026 transfer window, with pre-season games set to begin.
The World Cup has been a distraction from the gradual but steady progress Manchester United are making in the transfer market. Now is a good time to take stock of where we are at.
Likes
Two key signings in: Manchester United’s clear top priority was to strengthen in midfield, and the recruitment team are now making good progress. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have joined, both bringing in Premier League experience. There is a good balance between the two, with Santos more of a prospect and Tielemans at his peak. Both have leadership experience, and could both be bargains. Importantly, Santos is already here for pre-season. Mission accomplished so far.
More are coming: Remember 2018 when United signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant and then shut up shop in early July? There is no danger of the club resting on their laurels this time around, I hope. Another midfielder is expected to sign, and there could be further additions in defence, on the wing, or up front. Ineos must keep going.
WHO will be Man Utd’s THIRD midfielder signing to go with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans? Who do you want?
Which midfielder do you think would fit United's rebuild best? What do we need next?
Not paying laughable fees: United have quite deliberately refused to pay crazy money for players. Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have all gone elsewhere for a combined £300 million. United have a strategy to find value, and they are sticking to it. Tielemans and Santos have cost a combined £85 million. It’s sensible because there is a history of expensive signings failing to deliver at United, where the pressure is bigger than anywhere else.
Keeping it quiet: One of the memorable aspects of this transfer window so far is that the media do not know what United are doing. United are keeping their cards close to their chest, with work clearly ongoing in the background. The Tielemans transfer came out of nowhere. Let’s have some more like that please!
Quick early sale: It’s gone under the radar but Manchester United have already offset some of the expenditure via the £38 million sale of Rasmus Hojlund. Another early agreement was made to loan out Andre Onana again. I’d have preferred a sale here, but at least it was decisive and didn’t drag out.
Dislikes
Ederson handling: I was not a fan of how the Ederson situation played out. A deal was agreed before United backed out. The full story is yet to emerge. Did United simply change their mind, or was it purely a medical decision? I would far rather we signed Youri Tielemans instead, but I don’t think it was handled with a lot of grace from United.
Rashford situation: Unlike Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford looks to be heading back to United. Barcelona have turned down the opportunity to buy him permanently. Rashford’s World Cup performances were nothing special. It doesn’t seem like there is an easy exit for him, and I fear he does not even want to be back at United, and we are simply stuck with him.
What’s YOUR message to Marcus Rashford after Barcelona’s deal for Anthony Gordon?
Should Man Utd use this reality check to try and bring Rashford back?
Vitek heading out: The move for Karl Darlow has telegraphed that Manchester United will not be keeping Radek Vitek as back-up goalkeeper next season. There is a strong chance he is now sold to raise funds, instead of being sent on loan.
The state of the market: United’s transfer moves have been reactive to the state of the market, with Manchester City and Tottenham spending wildly. The £116 million Elliot Anderson deal has pushed prices up across the board. It has created a situation where Bournemouth are demanding £80 million for Alex Scott, who should be worth only half that amount.
No striker movement: I’m a little concerned that Benjamin Sesko is on a recovery programme from injury still. Clearly we are going to need back-up here next season. I just don’t think Joshua Zirkzee is a capable stand-in. I’d like to see another striker signed, and Zirkzee sold if necessary. Neither appear to be progressing with any urgency. Maybe it’s happening in secret – but let’s get a move on.
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