A big summer awaits Man United, where transfers take priority

COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland — Speaking to a small group of journalists at the Carton House Hotel in County Kildare this week, Harry Maguire took the opportunity to send a message to the Manchester United hierarchy.

In Ireland, with the rest of Michael Carrick’s squad for a short training camp designed to rejuvenate players and staff ahead of the final step towards qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, Maguire – with a new one-year contract signed and sealed – was already looking ahead.

“I think this summer is going to be a great summer,” he said spontaneously. “I think we have to recruit very well.”

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It was as if Maguire was speaking for a dressing room that has benefited from positive signings – Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens – this season and now wants more to help the team finally challenge for the Premier League title.

But if Maguire’s comments were aimed at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and recruitment director Christopher Vivell, they were probably unnecessary.

Sources told ESPN that there is a feeling internally that succeeding in this summer’s recruiting campaign is even more important than naming the next head coach.

This is not to say that the decision regarding Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor is not an important decision. But having been in the job for more than two years, Ratcliffe and his team have learned that it is easier to recover from a manager’s mistakes than those made in the transfer market.

They still have to deal with the consequences of certain decisions made before their arrival.

Heading into this crucial summer, there are fears that André Onana’s wages – which will rise if United qualify for the Champions League – could be a significant obstacle in finding another exit route for the Cameroon goalkeeper after a season on loan in Turkey with Trabzonspor.

Well-negotiated exits – including Onana’s – will be key to this summer’s transfer business. United, according to sources, hope to cover the cost of their main summer target – a central midfielder – with funds raised from spending, preserving the rest of the budget to make other additions.

Barcelona have the option to make Marcus Rashford’s loan deal permanent for £26 million, while Napoli are expected to trigger their option to make Rasmus Højlund’s loan deal permanent for around £38 million.

United are expecting interest from Italy for striker Joshua Zirkzee and Turkey for goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Zirkzee has fans within the club, but it is accepted that he has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League and that his attributes are better suited to Serie A.

Four out of five departures are expected to generate between £80m and £90m – the approximate budget for a central midfielder to replace Casemiro, who has already announced his departure at the end of the season. However, the price is not fixed.

United, according to sources, did not want to increase their offer to £65m for Mbeumo last summer, but Wilcox eventually managed to convince Berrada it was the right move. The same approach will be taken this time.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba are all under consideration, although there are issues to overcome with each of them.

Anderson is also wanted by Manchester City. Tonali, who impressed for Carrick at St James’ Park in March, has already served a lengthy ban, and Wharton is seen more as a No.8 than the desired No.6. Guimarães made it clear privately that he would not force a move away from Newcastle and when United had previously phoned Brighton to inquire about Baleba, they were quoted a “Moisés Caicedo fee” of more than £100m.

Berrada has shown himself to be a skillful and flexible negotiator, but he is well aware of what is known within the club as the “United tax”.

Sources told ESPN that United first inquired about Mbeumo in January 2025 and were told by his representatives that Brentford were asking for an initial fee of £55m. By the time United made formal contact with Brentford ahead of the summer window, the price had risen to £70m plus £7m in add-ons.

Salaries will also need to be managed carefully. The club have worked hard to reduce the wage bill and another significant chunk will be wiped out this summer with the departures of Casemiro, Rashford and Jadon Sancho.

United, sources say, can still be competitive on wages, but the days of blowing other teams out of the water are over.

Discussions were held with Antoine Semenyo’s representatives ahead of the January window and club officials were initially led to believe the race was between United and Liverpool. Liverpool’s interest never grew and discussions with United reached the point of talking about salary expectations.

Sources told ESPN that the numbers discussed were considered manageable until Semenyo’s representatives held a meeting with Manchester City. After this, it was noted that Semenyo’s wage demands had increased significantly and United felt unable to compete.

The arrival of a new left winger is still on United’s agenda. In terms of profile, recruiters and recruitment analysts are tasked with finding “an Amad on the other side,” according to our sources.

There are other targets beyond a midfielder and a left winger. A second central midfielder is also lined up, with the likes of João Gomes and Mateus Fernandes considered feasible if Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are relegated.

Sources have told ESPN that United have had a detailed file on Gomes since his breakthrough at Flamengo. A new goalkeeper will be needed if Onana and Bayindir leave, and it is possible attempts will be made to recruit another left-back.

Tyrell Malacia’s contract is expiring and some members of the coaching staff believe Patrick Dorgu could be more effective further down the line after impressive performances against Manchester City and Arsenal in January. There are concerns over Luke Shaw’s ability to play three games a week next season, which leaves only youngsters Harry Amass and Diego León as replacements if no one else steps in. According to sources, checks were also carried out on several left-footed centre-backs, including Murillo at Nottingham Forest.

However, with Maguire staying for at least another year and other options in the form of Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, a new centre-back is seen as less of a priority. De Ligt’s long convalescence after a back injury, however, complicates this reflection. This is at least one area of ​​the team where there is depth. United know they will need more players to cope with a four-competition season, which could, in theory, extend beyond 60 games.

Sources told ESPN that the recruiting staff is closely studying this summer’s free agent roster in order to potentially strengthen the team without burning too much of a hole in the budget. The priority remains to recruit an established, world-class midfielder and everything else will have to revolve around him.

Third in the table after the resurgence under Carrick, United believe they are poised to create a tough title squad if they can find the right players.

Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox don’t need Maguire to remind them that it’s an important summer. Work is expected to intensify over the coming weeks as they seek to take the next step.