Manchester United are in the market for new midfielders in 2026 as Ruben Amorim prepares to revamp the position.
It has been clear since the beginning of the 2025/26 season that Manchester United’s weakest position is the midfield.
Although Casemiro has shown a vast improvement since Ruben Amorim became head coach in November 2024, the Brazil international is 33 years old, and his contract could expire in the summer.
Bruno Fernandes has been tasked with playing in a deeper position this season, becoming less influential as a result.
This has led to United being linked with several midfielders, particularly in the Premier League. The most notable names have been Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
United will continue to monitor the market with the January transfer window approaching.
James Garner tackling Casemiro
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Man Utd aware of James Garner situation
James Garner was one of Everton’s top performers as David Moyes secured his first-ever Premier League victory away to United.
The 24-year-old graduated through United’s academy before signing for Everton in 2022, and he performed at a high level at Old Trafford on Monday night.
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Everton have an option to extend Garner’s contract by one year before it ends in the summer, but they will also be trying to convince the midfield ace to commit his future to the club.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has told United In Focus that United are fully aware of Garner’s situation if he were to become a free agent.
It is also understood that Jason Wilcox and his team are involved in tracking Garner throughout the season.
“James Garner is having a superb season and Everton are working very hard to get him signed up to a new deal and they are confident but other clubs are circling,” Bailey said.
“United are fully aware of his situation. His ability to play high level in a number of positions is attractive.
“Then you add in he is homegrown for United and is a possible free transfer. Jason Wilcox and his team are informed of the situation.”
Gary Neville impressed by James Garner against Man Utd
Although Everton were reduced to 10 men against United, they were the better side throughout the game, and Garner played a key role in that.
It’s no wonder that Garner is receiving a lot of interest from across the Premier League as his Everton contract heads into its closing stages.
Garner was one of the players singled out for his strong performance against United on Monday night, with Gary Neville singing the midfielder’s praise on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“I just thought that it was a mixture from Everton of really good defending, really good shape, really good energy, frustrated United, but also I thought that when they got on the ball through Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish and Barry up front being a bit of a sort of battering ram and as someone who flicked it on, I thought they did really well,” Neville said.
“I thought Garner was fantastic in midfield. They all took the ball. They didn’t just pump it forward.
“They were a bit back to the wall in the second half as you’d expect, but I thought after the red card in the first half, they played some really good stuff.”