Manchester United agreed transfers worth in excess of £250million for six players in 2026, with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens, Patrick Dorgu, and Diego Leon joining the club.
But the squad still needs key additions to be ready to challenge for top honours again, and suit Ruben Amorim’s system.
Making sure they raise funds will be important too, after a summer when players left for a potential income of more than £100m.
The information found within this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Sources with knowledge of transfer dealings, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have been spoken to before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment.
Who will make key decisions over the two windows?
Director of football Jason Wilcox leads the sporting direction of the club, but chief executive Omar Berrada has a major influence, while Amorim’s needs as head coach will also be a significant factor. Wilcox and Amorim speak daily.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is across transfers, taking briefings on pursuits and offering opinions on spending, while the Glazer family, represented by Joel and Avram, are also a part of the process.
At ground level, Christopher Vivell, as director of recruitment, oversees the scouting operation and is another key voice on targets. Director of negotiations Matt Hargreaves conducts talks with agents and other club directors.
Wilcox (left), Berrada (centre) and Ratcliffe will be key to transfer business (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
What positions will they be looking at in 2026?
Midfield is the priority area. United want a dynamic presence in the centre of the pitch, a player capable of winning possession and getting the ball moving forwards.
United may even look to add two midfielders, a No 6 and No 8, depending on what happens with outgoings.
Adding a central defender could come on the agenda, while Amorim also mentioned his desire to be able to select a right-footed attacking wing-back for the left side.
Are there any players they are already looking at?
United held talks, via intermediaries, on Carlos Baleba in July, and agreed personal terms, but ultimately declined to make a bid after coming to understand Brighton & Hove Albion would insist on the type of money Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo, around £115million.
Baleba’s form has fallen this season, he has been taken off at half-time in four Premier League games, but the 21-year-old remains prominent on United’s list.
Elliot Anderson, 23, has emerged as a primary focus of attention after a series of impressive displays for Nottingham Forest and England. Anderson’s athleticism, ball-carrying, and passing range are of particular appeal, and he played superbly against United at the City Ground.
Adam Wharton, 21, is also under consideration. He is an elegant midfielder capable of imagining and executing the hardest of through balls, as shown by his pass to Jean-Philippe Mateta for Crystal Palace’s penalty in United’s visit to Selhurst Park.
United might look to do something in January, but the expectation is that any such deal would be seizing a low-cost opportunity, rather than attempting any long-term signing. That being said, conversations will take place in case circumstances change. United are not anticipated to enter talks for Joao Gomes at Wolves.
Who will they be looking to sell?
Kobbie Mainoo’s future will come under discussion again, as soon as January, although the player and the club would be considering a loan move in that instance.
Mainoo ideally wants regular football to make a late push for World Cup selection, while United would get a higher value for a potential summer sale if the 20-year-old puts a string a good performances together.
As an academy graduate who has contributed to memorable moments for United, Mainoo’s status at the club is highly emotive, however. It remains to be seen whether club executives would allow him to leave, whatever the situation is around his current game time.
Manuel Ugarte is also struggling for opportunities, and his position may be looked at next summer. Joshua Zirkzee has attracted interest from Serie A.
Ugarte has struggled for minutes this season (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
What moves have they made already?
As well as the Baleba talks, United are aware of the picture when it comes to other targets. Checking in on potential prices, liaising to gauge a player’s mindset, and adding to scouting reports is an ongoing process.
Which players’ contracts are expiring? Who will they renew?
Casemiro’s deal runs out in the summer and the club will not be exercising their plus-one option. The Brazilian currently earns around £280,000 per week with United out of the Champions League, far in excess of what the club is prepared to sanction.
It remains to be seen whether a fresh deal on reduced terms is agreed for the 33-year-old, but that appears a remote outcome even though he is a regular starter under Amorim.
Harry Maguire’s contract also expires in 2026, and the club already triggered his extra year last winter. The 32-year-old can talk to foreign clubs from January but United are set to wait until later in the campaign to hold talks on him potentially staying longer.
Tyrell Malacia and Tom Heaton’s deals end in 2026. It is unlikely either is renewed, although Heaton, 39, is in the player leadership group, so may have talks about remaining on in a different capacity.
What is their PSR position? What sort of budget do they have?
Berrada is on record as stating United will remain committed to the rules governing spending both domestically and on the continent. The club have made heavy losses in recent years but in June, The Athletic reported a crucial detail of United’s PSR calculations and estimated they could lose around £141m in 2024-25 alone and still remain compliant.
Finding the cash to buy players is another matter, however, with United borrowing a further £105m to help fund their transfer spending over the summer, having extended their revolving credit facilities to a maximum limit of £350m.
What will be the manager’s priority?
Amorim wants a midfield that is totally compatible with his system, has highlighted the wing-back area, while adding another experienced striker would also appeal, given Sesko is adjusting to the Premier League.