Manchester United prioritize midfield reinforcements amid World Cup absences and transfer setbacks

Manchester United have prioritized signing central midfield reinforcements after losing Casemiro on 30 June and facing uncertainty over Manuel Ugarte, sources at the club said on 3 July, leaving the squad short of senior midfield options for pre-season.

Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury while on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain and is believed to have cruciate damage that will keep him sidelined through 2026, removing any prospect of a summer sale.

The transfer window has added complications. United’s primary midfield target, Elliot Anderson, moved to Manchester City on 25 June for a club-record £116m, while Tottenham signed Mateus Fernandes from West Ham on 2 July for a club-record £85m after a valuation dispute.

United have reached agreement on a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, but his World Cup call-up delays his medical until his national team exit and he will receive at least three weeks’ rest afterward, postponing his integration into pre-season.

As a result, when first-team players return for testing and pre-season training on 9 July, Mason Mount may be the only senior recognised central midfielder available to manager Michael Carrick, with Mount seen primarily as an offensive option.

The club’s scheduled friendlies begin on 18 July against Wrexham in Helsinki, followed by Rosenborg on 24 July and a high-profile match against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August, increasing the urgency to resolve midfield cover before tougher fixtures.

United’s current senior midfield list on the official website includes younger players such as Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, and twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher, while several first-team midfielders remain on World Cup duty. Tyler Fletcher was a surprise Scotland call-up but did not play.

Academy and fringe midfielders available to Carrick include Premier League 2 captain Jacob Devaney, who impressed on loan at St Mirren, Jack Moorhouse, Jayce Fitzgerald, Sekou Kone and Jim Thwaites, all of whom may feature during pre-season opportunities to stake a claim.

The club continues to evaluate external options to strengthen midfield. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is reported as a leading target but faces competition from Arsenal and a strong stance from Bournemouth to retain him. Tyler Adams, also of Bournemouth, could be obtainable for £40–50m if the club agrees to sell.

Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, who made 43 appearances last season, has attracted interest and sources suggest he could be available for around £50m. Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha has been mentioned but United say no proactive approach is underway after he signed a new contract in March.

Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni remains a high-profile option but is expected to stay at the Bernabeu for now, while Brighton’s Carlos Baleba was previously pursued and could re-emerge as a target despite Brighton’s firm valuation reportedly above £100m.