According to information at our disposal, Manchester United have made strengthening midfield this summer their top priority. Following Casemiro's departure, the Red Devils need to fill the gap in defensive and playmaking midfield roles as soon as possible, and the management is planning to spend around £100 million on the remaining two midfield slots on top of the already agreed deal for Ederson Silva.
From Atlanta to London: The Logic Behind a Two-Pronged Transfer Push
United have reached an agreement with Atalanta over goalkeeper Ederson Silva for a fee of around £38 million, with the official announcement expected in early July. The deal frees up budget space for midfield recruitment and reflects INEOS's approach—address the goalkeeper shortage first, then focus the remaining window on midfield.
The next target is Matheus Fernandes of West Ham United. The 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder was still one of the Hammers' most consistent performers during their relegation season, ranking among the team leaders across several key metrics. United have edged out rivals including Arsenal in the race, and the player himself has made clear his desire to join, hoping to play alongside his idol Bruno Fernandes—that is seen as the key driver for the deal to go through.
The Three-Man Shortlist and How to Spend the £100m Budget
Following the completion of the Ederson signing, Manchester United's three-man shortlist for midfield reinforcements has come into focus: Matheus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott. The club plans to spend around £100 million to wrap up the remaining two midfield signings in a package deal, and has cooled its pursuit of Elliot Anderson.
Negotiations over Matheus Fernandes are not expected to be straightforward. United's opening bid will fall well short of £80 million, and West Ham are likely to reject it. However, multiple sources suggest that given the player's strong desire to join and United's firm stance, the deal is still widely expected to go through. The Hammers capped off the 2025-26 Premier League season with a 3-0 win in their final match, but results such as a round-37 defeat had already sealed their relegation fate; Matheus Fernandes's ability to keep performing in such circumstances is precisely why his market value has risen.
Ugarte's Future: Carrick's Loyalty and the Tactical Equation
Another variable in the transfer push is Manuel Ugarte's future. United had originally envisaged freeing up two midfield slots for new recruits by selling Ugarte, but Michael Carrick does not intend to cast him aside. The head coach is willing to keep the Uruguayan defensive midfielder in the squad next season, and the club may follow the approach taken in the 2023 summer window with Maguire and McTominay — retained players still have the chance to win back their places through performances, rather than being forced out.
From a tactical standpoint, Carrick must address two issues in midfield at once: passing stability and physical intensity in duels. Ederson would shore up the last line of defence; if Matheus Fernandes joins, he would offer fresh options in progression and link-up play. Adding either Baleba or Scott would also significantly improve United’s midfield age profile and running coverage. United themselves underscored the point in the run-in: after a 3-2 win on Matchday 37, they lost 3-0 on Matchday 38. That swing in transition efficiency at both ends shows midfield upgrades are a necessity, not a luxury.
Key points to watch
Over the next few weeks, attention will focus on three areas: whether Ederson’s early-July announcement goes through as planned; when United submit their second and third bids for Matheus Fernandes; and whether Ugarte stays and how that affects their room to manoeuvre on a third midfield slot. If the £100m budget is successfully converted into two proven midfielders, the Red Devils could see measurable gains in possession, counter transition efficiency and set-piece defending — a pivotal test of whether INEOS’s second major squad investment pays off.
