Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves' Matheus Cunha are on Manchester United's transfer radar this summer
Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves' Matheus Cunha are on Manchester United's transfer radar this summer
Manchester United are set for a busy summer in the transfer market as they look to try and begin to shape their squad to fit the philosophy of manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has been wedded to his 3-4-2-1 formation since taking over as United boss in November but the personnel haven't necessarily fitted the system.
This summer represents his first chance to try and amend that as he looks for the signings that will help drive United back up the Premier League table. After a disappointing 15th place finish, United will have to hit the ground running next season to alleviate any pressure on Amorim.
Without European football next season, it will allow Amorim to trim his squad and any player sales will help fund the arrival of new signings. With that in mind, here's a look at United's current player stock take and where improvements will need to be made in the summer.
Goalkeeper reshuffle
United currently have Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton as their three first team goalkeeping options but it would be a surprise if that remains their goalkeeping trio next season.
Heaton has signed a contract extension so will remain, and while there is interest from Saudi Pro League clubs in Andre Onana, it is understood he is keen to stay at Old Trafford, too.
The most likely departure will be Bayindir who has failed to convince during his two seasons at the club. His error which led to Aston Villa's goal being controversially chalked off at the weekend was another reminder that United need an upgrade for their second choice goalkeeper. Bayindir, too, may want regular first team football as the Turkish international looks ahead to a World Cup year.
United would be keen to sign a goalkeeper who would offer stiffer competition for Onana. Torino' Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has been tentatively linked with a move this summer.
Two positions well stocked
United have plenty of options at centre-half, even with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave the club on free transfers at the end of next month.
Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are four solid options to form the back three, while Luke Shaw has been used more as a centre-back than a left-wing-back under Amorim.
Add in impressive youngsters Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson to the mix, as well as the fact Noussair Mazraoui can be used as a centre-half, too, then United have eight options to fill in for three positions.
At wing-back, United also have Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot on the right, while January signing Patrick Dorgu and teenager Harry Amass have impressed on the left-hand side. Amad can also be used as a right-wing-back, while Shaw remains an option on the left.
Neither position serves as a transfer priority for United this summer.
Midfield overhaul?
Where United may have an issue is in midfield. Christian Eriksen will leave the club on a free transfer next month, which would leave United with four bona fide midfield options.
Manuel Ugarte is here to stay after a mixed first season at United and he is a player Amorim trusts from their time working together at Sporting CP.
Casemiro became one of Amorim's most important midfielders towards the end of the season but he was much more effective in Europe than he was with dealing with the physicality of the Premier League.
He has one year remaining on his contract and, at 33, it is United's last chance to get a fee for the Brazilian international this summer. He has just been recalled to the Brazil squad and it might be the right time to cash in.
Kobbie Mainoo could also leave this summer. His talent is undoubted but after a breakout 2023/24 campaign, his 2024/25 season was stunted by injuries.
Since coming back into the side he has struggled to nail down regular football under Amorim and given a potential sale would represent pure profit, his future is one to keep an eye on with Chelsea among the clubs interested.
Toby Collyer is the club's other midfielder on the books and while he could stay there is also talk the 21-year-old could look for regular football elsewhere this summer, too.
£112.5m dream double-deal
Amad and Fernandes were United's two best players by a distance last season and both were most effective in the two attacking midfield roles.
Mason Mount has also shown glimpses of becoming the signing United thought they would be getting under Amorim, but Alejandro Garnacho is expected to leave amid the fallout from the Europa League final.
Napoli and Chelsea are said to be among the clubs interested and his sale would bring in a significant transfer fee for United.
That would leave them with three attacking midfield options at their current disposal but two dream signings could solve two problems.
The £62.5m signing of Wolves star Matheus Cunha is expected to go through, while United are expected to do battle with Newcastle over the £50m Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
If United can pull off both of those deals it could allow Fernandes to move back into midfield to bolster their options in that department and leave Amorim with four quality attacking midfield options.
£30m arrival but is it enough?
Up front United are keen to secure the £30million signing of Ipswich Town's 12-goal forward Liam Delap. The problem is that a number of other Premier League clubs are keen to secure a deal for the 22-year-old as well.
If the England under-21 international arrives, it would take United's striker head count up to four.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have both struggled consistently in front of goal and the expectation is at least one of those players will be moved on - either permanently or on loan - in the summer.
Teenage forward Chido Obi is expected to have a bright future and he will remain on the fringes of the first team next season.
The fear is that would leave United without an experienced forward up front when they have clearly lacked that at times this season.
£97.5m triple sale a priority
We reported last week that the sales of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are a priority for United this summer.
All three players have impressed on loan at Aston Villa, Chelsea and Real Betis respectively and Sancho and Antony will face off in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw this evening.
United want £40m for Rashford, and £32.5m for Antony, who earned a recall to the Brazil squad earlier this week, while Chelsea have a £25m obligation to sign Sancho.
Those three sales would bring in £97.5m before sanctioning any potential sales.
Dutch international Tyrell Malacia's loan move to PSV isn't expected to become permanent and finding the 25-year-old a new home in the summer as he heads into the final year of his contract will also be a priority for United.