Man United have made the ideal start to the summer transfer window, securing Matheus Cunha's signature, but there is a lot more work still to be done.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe embraces Ruben Amorim after the Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim (left) and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are facing a massive summer transfer window.
(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
Manchester United made the perfect start to the summer transfer window on Sunday, announcing the arrival of Wolves star Matheus Cunha on a long-term contract.
Subject to a visa and registration being granted, the Brazilian has joined United on a five-year deal after the club agreed to pay his £62.5million release clause. He also has the option of an additional year.
United had been tracking the former Atletico Madrid man for some time after identifying him as one of their top targets to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Cunha scored 17 goals across all competitions for Wolves this season, including 15 in the Premier League, and will sharpen a blunt United attack. The Reds have ended each of the last two Premier League campaigns with a negative goal difference.
However, to ensure they give themselves the best possible chance of increasing their attacking output next term, United want to add to the addition of Cunha by signing a striker.
Like the Brazilian, United had long since identified Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as a priority target, but he is now on the brink of finalising a move to Chelsea. Delap held talks with a handful of clubs and chose a move to Stamford Bridge.
Article continues below
It means United's search for a new goal-getter will head in an alternative direction, although it remains unclear who they plan to try and recruit instead. Napoli ace Victor Osimhen and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres are both continuing to be linked with moves to M16.
United, at this juncture, need an experienced and proven striker that come in and hit the ground running. As tempting and as understandable a move for Delap, who was available via a £30m release clause, was, swooping for him would have signified a huge gamble after just one season as a regular Premier League starter.
United gambled on potential in both 2023 and 2024, signing Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee respectively, but neither of them have done enough to justify leading United's attack, hence why the club is once again on the hunt for a striker.
Rasmus Hojlund cuts a lonely figure during the post-season tour.
Manchester United need an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
As well as bolstering their attack, United are also understood to be in the market for a new midfielder. Christian Eriksen will leave the club at the end of this month when his contract expires and neither Kobbie Mainoo or Casemiro are assured of a future at Old Trafford beyond the end of this summer.
Casemiro is approaching the final year of his contract and Mainoo did not play as regularly as he would have liked this season. The club is also yet to reach an agreement with him over a new contract.
The addition of a new right wing-back at Old Trafford cannot be dismissed this summer, either. Prior to it being confirmed in March that Geovany Quenda will join Chelsea next summer, United had expressed interest in the Sporting Lisbon youngster.
The Manchester Evening News reported in February that United were open to signing the talented 18-year-old, who had made his mark at Sporting under now-United head coach Ruben Amorim, amid the United chief's craving for an attack-minded winger to service the forwards.
The addition of a wing-back, at this juncture, is unlikely to rank as a top priority amid the overriding importance of strengthening the attack. Furthermore, United's intentions for the remainder of the summer are likely to rest on outgoings and raising funds via player sales.