Manchester United did not sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window and it has now been revealed why Ruben Amorim did not look to strengthen in that area
15:53, 02 Sep 2025
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is feeling the pressure
Manchester United did not sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Manchester United didn't view bolstering their midfield as a top priority during the summer transfer window.
Despite bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens and Diego Leon, United didn't add to Ruben Amorim's midfield options. Sources within United have stated that strengthening the midfield wasn't seen as crucial due to the club already possessing what they consider to be strong and versatile options.
Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are currently available for selection in midfield for Amorim. Both Casemiro and Fernandes have featured in all three Premier League matches this season.
United did enquire about Carlos Baleba, but Brighton valued the midfielder at around £100million.
However, with United having already spent £215m on new signings, financing a high-profile midfield addition proved challenging, reports the Manchester Evening News.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrate after Josh Cullen of Burnley (not pictured) scores his teams own goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Manchester United did not sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window(Image: Jan Kruger, Getty Images)
Toby Collyer was permitted to join West Brom on a season-long loan. Despite being promoted to the first team last season, Collyer was given the go-ahead to leave for more regular football.
Mainoo requested a loan move in the final week of the summer window. However, United denied his request and Amorim confirmed in his pre-Burnley press conference that he wanted the young player to stay.
Following the draw with Fulham, Amorim revealed that Mainoo is competing with Fernandes for a place in the starting line-up.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Toby Collyer of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion at Bet365 Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom. (Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
Toby Collyer was allowed to leave on loan to West Brom(Image: Adam Fradgley, West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
"He's fighting for the position now with Bruno," Amorim said of Mainoo. "And I change two midfielders. I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team need to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
Article continues below
"So he (Mainoo) just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as I.T. should be at Manchester United. [Sometimes] he's going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he's fighting in training with Bruno for the position."
Mainoo featured from the start against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup loss and was introduced at the interval against Burnley following Mount's injury.