Manchester United enjoyed a productive summer window and could now have landed a shot in the arm as they bid to force an exciting deal over the line in January.
Man Utd preparing for Man City battle
Despite a mixed start to the Premier League campaign, Manchester United sit above rivals Manchester City in the table as they prepare for Sunday's derby clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Ruben Amorim will have found some solace in the international break after leading his side to a last-gasp victory over Burnley before his players jetted off to different corners of the world, but the hard work begins now if the Red Devils are serious about climbing the top-flight standings.
Ruben-Amorim-Manager
Paul Scholes has admitted that it is difficult to gauge what level of league finish would be acceptable given the transitional nature of Manchester United's season, claiming that anywhere from eighth upwards may be deemed as an adequate return.
"This season… It’s so hard to tell. You’re even looking at the first three games: okay, they won one, drawn one, lost one. So difficult. I think top eight. I think he would take that at this point."
After a strong showing in the transfer window, Manchester United have Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson on their radar heading into January, and he may not be the only name on their radar as the Red Devils build under the guise of INEOS.
Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman is also on the Red Devils' radar, indicating that they could be set to target youthful assets with years of development potential ahead of them at Old Trafford.
Regardless, the need for ready-made experience is always paramount at Manchester United, and INEOS have now received a boost in pursuit of their top target.
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at the top of their shopping list in January as he continues to remain out of the picture in the West Midlands.
emi martinez
The Argentina international, a former Arsenal player, is said to be desperate for minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which could hasten the process of an exit should he manage to land a stunning move to Old Trafford. The report also adds that Martinez could cost €25m (£22m) halfway through the season.
Maintaining a save percentage rate of 69% in the Premier League last term, per Fotmob, Martinez, a World Cup winner in 2022, kept 16 clean sheets in 53 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, though has started just once this campaign.
AC Milan's Mike Maignan is also being looked at on a free transfer as an alternative, something that could potentially put the cat among the pigeons regarding Senne Lammens' place in the pecking order.
Andre Onana's recent loan move to Trabzonspor has created a space for someone to fill between the sticks at Old Trafford, and Martinez would definitely be a popular solution among supporters to their goalkeeping debacle.