Manchester United need new midfielders in the coming transfer windows, and may look to use a secret weapon to secure a much-sought-after teenage star.
Manchester United’s 2025 summer transfer window saw the club secure a new front line, with Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško, and Bryan Mbeumo joining for just shy of £200 million.
Meanwhile, Rúben Amorim also secured young left-back Diego Leon and promising goalkeeper Senne Lammens for a further £20 million, although many were surprised that United forgoes signing a new midfielder.
There was intense interest in Brighton talent Carlos Baleba, but the South Coast club insisted that only a bid of over £100 million would bring them to the table, and United instead chose to focus their remaining funding elsewhere.
With 2026 bringing the winter and summer transfer windows over the next 12 months, United are expected to dip back into the market to sign multiple new midfielders.
United may need three new midfielders
It’s already apparent that Amorim needs at least one new midfielder in his squad. Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte are his only current senior options.
But, with Casemiro’s contract expiring at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, United will also need to secure another midfielder to cover for the 32-year-old’s loss.
As well as United almost certainly going back in for Baleba next summer, there is also a distinct possibility that Manuel Ugarte could depart, too.
CEO Omar Berrada has a strict policy that states any signing has two years to prove themselves at the club, and if they do not, they will be sold.
Ugarte has so far failed to perform consistently to expected standards and may need to be replaced, meaning the club would need to sign a third midfielder.
United eyeing move for Lille’s Bouaddi
Last summer, many were surprised to see that United managed to secure the signing of Mbeumo from Brentford over other suitors such as Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle.
Still, it later emerged that the 26-year-old was friends with former goalkeeper André Onana and fantastic centre-back Leny Yoro, which helped.
This time around, TeamTalk have reported that United are in the mix and keeping close tabs on Lille’s 17-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects across European football with “elite” potential.
Much like Yoro two seasons ago, Bouaddi has been impressing in Ligue 1 at such a young age, but has also proved himself on the Champions League stage, and could be a vital pick for one of these three midfield spots United must cover over the next 12 months.
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Just like how they managed to secure Mbeumo from Brentford, United could use Yoro’s connection with Lille and personal connection with Bouaddi through the French U21s team to help the young star choose United.
TeamTalk have reported that AC Milan has already placed itself at the top of the suitors interested in signing him, but that United, along with Liverpool and Arsenal, have also sent scouts to monitor his progress and are not far behind.
Securing Bouaddi from Lille over other big-name sides, just as they did with Yoro in 2024, would be a perfect next step to continue the rebuild Amorim is orchestrating at Old Trafford.
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