Manchester United are firmly in the race to qualify for the Champions League in 2026/27. The Red Devils can leapfrog Aston Villa and go into third if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, after Unai Emery’s side lost 2-0 away to Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Indeed, for Michael Carrick's men, it feels as though the race for a Champions League spot is firmly in their hands, with just one game per week to focus on.
If they do return to Europe's elite club competition, money will need to be spent to ensure they can be competitive.
Man United's Michael Carrick and Amad Diallo
Already, transfer rumours are beginning to swirl, with United linked to one attacker from within the Premier League.
Man United ready to raid Premier League rival
There might be strong market opportunities for Premier League sides to sign players from relegated clubs. If Nottingham Forest go down, the Red Devils could move for their talisman, Morgan Gibbs-White, according to reports.
Another club that could be relegated to the Championship this season is West Ham United. According to a report from TEAMTalk, the Old Trafford club could make a move for Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen.
United are looking to bolster their forward options and ‘could target him’ if the East Londoners are relegated.
Bowen
However, this will not be an easy deal for the 13-time Premier League champions to get over the line. United are set to go head-to-head with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature.
As for a price, West Ham could demand as much as £52m for Bowen.
Why Bowen could be a good signing
If United were to bring Bowen to Old Trafford next summer, it is no secret what they would be getting. In an up-and-down few seasons for the Hammers, he has been a constant, putting in consistent performances week after week.
Jarrod-Bowen
Even in the 2025/26 campaign, which has seen the Hammers threatened with relegation, Bowen has still contributed well.
He has eight goals and three assists in the Premier League this term, and will carry a lot of the responsibility as they try to keep their top-flight status.
Jarrod Bowen goals per season (timeless)
This is now the sixth consecutive season in which the Englishman has managed to hit double-figure goals and assists in the top flight.
His best campaign in terms of his sheer numbers came last term, where he bagged 13 goals and assisted ten in just 34 games.
If Bowen does move to Old Trafford, he could prove to be an upgrade on Ivorian winger Amad. The 23-year-old has not been at his best this term, despite spending the majority of the time playing as a right wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system.
The winger has only managed five goals and assists this term, and is yet to score in six games under Carrick since returning from AFCON.
Amad
His form has certainly dipped, but let’s not forget his impressive contributions of last term.
Amad chipped in with 21 goal involvements in 2024/25, including a brilliant 12-minute hat-trick to beat Southampton.
Yet, there is a strong argument to suggest that Bowen would be an upgrade on United’s number 16, given his experience and more consistent output.
The underlying numbers this season are neck and neck, but Bowen is currently averaging more goal involvements per 90 minutes, with 0.5 compared to 0.4.
Bowen & Amad - 25/26 PL stats
Stat (per 90)
Goals and assists
Conversion rate
Duels won
Take-ons completed
Ball recoveries
Stats from Squawka
Described as a “world-class” operator by Match of the Day pundit Steph Houghton, Bowen has consistently been one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers.
Amad is a difference maker, but it is easy to see how the West Ham skipper could be an upgrade.
jarrod-bowen-west-ham
For a fee of £52m, this could be a steal for United as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of 2026/27.
Benjamin Sesko for Manchester United Related
["Immense" Man Utd star is the modern day Solskjaer & it's not Sesko](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-utd-star-lammens-is-the-modern-day-solskjaer-its-not-sesko/ ""Immense" Man Utd star is the modern day Solskjaer & it's not Sesko")
Benjamin Sesko is entering super sub territory, but is he really Man Utd's new Solskjaer?