Manchester United have a gaping hole in their midfield, and Rúben Amorim will be eyeing the signing of multiple new midfielders in the 2026 transfer windows.
Manchester United’s 2025 summer transfer window saw the club overhaul their attack, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško, and Bryan Mbeumo for just under £200 million.
Rúben Amorim also strengthened his squad with young left-back Diego Leon and goalkeeper Senne Lammens for an additional £20 million, though many were surprised by the lack of a midfield signing.
United had shown strong interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but the Seagulls made it clear that only an offer exceeding £100 million would prompt negotiations, leading United to divert their funds elsewhere.
With both winter and summer windows to come in 2026, United are widely expected to return to the market in search of multiple midfield reinforcements.
United eyeing move for Brentford’s Yarmolyuk
United’s two best summer signings both came from buying Premier League-proven players. Cunha and Mbeumo have been instant hits at Old Trafford, and once both are fully fit and firing, they will offer a dangerous threat.
One key aspect of both players that helps their instant impact at Old Trafford is that they have vast Premier League experience, meaning there is minimal adaptation time when settling in. This has been a policy United’s board have been keen to push and looks set to continue.
This is also the thinking with respect to the club’s desire to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton next summer, and amid the possible need to sign multiple new midfielders, they are also reportedly looking at Brentford’s Yehor Yarmolyuk, too.
According to Ukrainian journalist Volodymyr Zverov, speaking on Profutbol Digital’s YouTube channel, United are a “serious contender” for the £30-million-rated 21-year-old who has 62 Premier League appearances to his name already.
“I know about the very serious interest of Manchester United in the Ukrainian footballer,” Zverov said. United definitely need to fix the problems in the midfield.
“And Brentford isn’t the club that will do everything in their power to keep Yarmolyuk, and they are ready to consider offers for the midfielder from £30m. United can be called a serious contender for Yarmolyuk.”
Midfielders will be next summer’s topic regardless of Amorim’s future
While who United will sign next is always a topic of conversation at Old Trafford, another that has raged rampant in the last few weeks is the future of Amorim, whose side sits 14th in the Premier League table with four points after four games.
It’s the worst start to a league season for United since 1992/93, and there are big questions surrounding his future. If he is to go, there is a thought that United may need to change their transfer strategy and targets, too.
Read More: Manchester United players must copy Bryan Mbeumo to help one star vs Chelsea after “tough” display
However, regardless of Amorim’s future, United will be looking to sign multiple midfielders this summer. Casemiro is out of contract at the end of the season, and Manuel Ugarte’s future is under intense debate, meaning the club will be signing at least two new midfielders.
If the head coach were to depart Old Trafford, there is a real chance that the next manager to take his place would play three midfielders, instead of two.
With United only having four senior midfielders at the club, if the next boss were to deploy three regularly, he would almost certainly require that the club recruit a whole host of new talents in the middle of the park.
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