Following a dismal 2024-25 campaign, which saw Manchester United slump to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and suffer a crushing Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Old Trafford is braced for a flurry of summer activity.
Head coach Rúben Amorim will be determined to reshape the squad around his favoured 3-4-3 formation and tactical philosophy, and to do so, the Red Devils will need to free up both funds and wages.
Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha kickstarted United’s summer business earlier this month, but the Reds reportedly have several other targets lined up.
Several first-team players are expected to be sold to bankroll reinforcements, while a handful of senior stars will leave on free transfers when their contracts expire at the end of June.
With the transfer window reopening on Monday, June 16, here’s everything you need to know as United prepare for a busy summer of business.
Areas to strengthen
Following the acquisition of Cunha as Man United’s first signing of the summer, Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are still expected to be highly active in the remainder of the transfer window - this is solely down to the fact that the current squad is simply not up to standard.
There are a certain positions that should be top of the priority list to sign, and certain player profiles that need to be targeted to fill the voids in the team.
Starting from the back, a decision will have to be made regarding out of form shot stopper Andre Onana, and whether he will be favoured as the undisputed number one at Old Trafford.
If it is decided that Onana is not the man to remain between the sticks, then a goalkeeper who is comfortable in possession and more importantly a sublime shot stopper will be the criteria for a new goalkeeper.
With the departures of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, a central defender will be needed to provide competition to the current options. Any potential target should be a typical modern defender, comfortable playing the ball through the lines, good in the air and strong in the tackle, but also composed.
A second number 10 to partner Cunha behind the striker is evidently being looked at with Man United being heavily linked to Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. If the deal does not go through, then a player with a similar profile to the French attacker will be a much needed addition to the squad.
Lastly, a focal point to lead the attack is desperately needed, with Rasmus Hojlund unfortunately underperforming.
Words by Levi Bass
Priority target
This year the transfer window has opened earlier than normal due to the Club World Cup and although United are not competing in this competition, they have used this time wisely to get signings over the line. The club have already completed the signing of**Cunha** and are in advanced talks with Brentford regarding the signature of**Mbeumo.**
After this, the club will focus on selling players such as Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford to raise funds for a striker signing. Manager Ruben Amorim is desperate to reunite with**Victor Gyokeres,** with the Sweden international emerging as a priority target for the Red Devils.
The Sporting striker scored a remarkable 39 goals in Liga Portugal last season, which is just five fewer than the entire United squad managed to register in the Premier League. While Gyokeres would demand a high wage, his £60m transfer valuation set by Sporting is seen as a reasonable by the United hierarchy.
Amorim clearly wants a striker who can run in behind and work the channels, while also providing a focal point in attack and the 27-year-old fits this description.
Although it isn’t a certainty that Gyokeres’ incredible goalscoring numbers would translate to the Premier League, he is definitely an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who are both linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Unlike Liam Delap, who chose to join Chelsea over United, the Swede is reportedly open to moving to Manchester even without European football. With Arsenal and Chelsea pursuing other strikers, the Red Devils seem to have a free run at one of the most in-form strikers in the world.
Words by Rajan Singh.
Possible departures
Marcus Rashford is one player who is almost certain to leave this summer is long serving red Rashford who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
It was evident in some ways that the relationship between him and Amorim was frosty at times and he is expected to depart in the transfer window if the Reds can agree a deal.
Whether a return to Villa or a move abroad is on the cards, it will bring to an end a long couple of seasons where Rashford hasn’t seemed up to it in a United shirt.
Alejandro Garnacho is another player who is expected to leave Old Trafford for pastures new.
It’s not been the best 2024/25 season for the Argentine, as he hasn’t shone like he did under Erik Ten Hag with Amorim.
A lot of fans will be sad to see Garnacho go but the reality is, he doesn’t fit well into the new manager’s system, whereas Matheus Cunha who has signed from Wolves does. The Reds could be looking to sell him for around £70 million.
Antony and Jadon Sancho are also both expected to leave after their loans at Real Betis and Chelsea have come to an end, while the futures of the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Andre Onana and Casemiro are also unclear.
Words by Tom Carter.
Expiring contracts
United confirmed earlier this week that three senior players - Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans - will leave Old Trafford when their contracts expire at the end of June. The club also announced the release of several academy prospects and revealed that veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton, whose deal likewise runs out this summer, has been offered a new contract.
Denmark international Eriksen bowed out in style last month, calmly converting a penalty in United’s 2–0 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season, marking his 108th and final appearance in red.
Lindelöf, who arrived from Benfica in 2017, departs after eight seasons and 284 appearances, during which he played a key role in securing the 2023 Carabao Cup and the 2024 FA Cup.
Evans leaves as the most decorated of the trio. The Northern Ireland centre-back enjoyed two spells at United - first emerging from Sir Alex Ferguson’s academy, then returning in 2023 - and amassed over 350 appearances, winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League during the Ferguson era.
United also confirmed that youth players Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster will depart once their contracts conclude, with bespoke aftercare support promised to aid their next steps.
Words by Ella Barber.