With Manchester United starting to look into their January transfer window plans, it’s imperative that they look to sign multiple midfielders in 2026.
Manchester United have endured several problems since Rúben Amorim’s arrival, with their poor start to this season largely pinned on the tactical approach in midfield.
Too often, no matter who has featured in the centre, large spaces have been left unprotected, leaving Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Bruno Fernandes vulnerable to being overrun by opposition players.
The decision not to recruit a midfielder during the summer window raised eyebrows. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba was a major target, but United deemed his £100 million valuation excessive.
While a renewed move for Baleba is anticipated in the summer of 2026, the lack of a short-term reinforcement in the previous window means January now offers an important opportunity to strengthen.
Gallagher becoming frustrated at Atleti
On 2025 transfer deadline day, reports emerged that United had enquired about a possible loan move for Atletico Madrid’s Connor Gallagher, but the La Liga giants rebuffed the idea.
But, just a few weeks later, the English midfielder is said to be growing frustrated with his current situation in Spain.
According to TBRFootball, although Gallagher is happy in Madrid, he is becoming irate at his predicament at Atletico Madrid, where he has made two starts in five games and has yet to play a 90-minute fixture.
One of these starts came in the club’s 3-2 Champions League loss against Liverpool on Wednesday evening, with the midfielder coming off after 61 minutes.
Atleti’s signing of Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis has seen him drop further down the pecking order, and multiple Premier League clubs are asking to be kept informed of his situation ahead of a possible Premier League move in January.
Five Premier League clubs want Gallagher
Looking ahead to January, TBRFootball report that United continue to be one of the key names interested in the 25-year-old, but that there are multiple other sides attentive to his situation.
Tottenham, Newcastle, Everton, and Gallagher’s former side, Crystal Palace, are all keeping a close eye on developments in Madrid, with the 2026 World Cup at the forefront of the player’s mind.
“As with many players at this moment in time, the World Cup is an added complication or worry,” transfer journalist Graeme Bailey said.
“Gallagher is one of those players who, if playing regularly, at his best, would be firmly in contention for his national side, so that issue can’t be overlooked.
“I am told the player would dearly like to make it back into the Atletico Madrid side and that is his priority, but clubs are paying real interest to him and he is very much one to keep an eye on for January.”
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