Manchester United are keen to strengthen their options in midfield in the upcoming transfer window, and they have been rumoured to be interested in a loan move for Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid.
Strengthening the midfield is clearly the priority for Manchester United leading into 2026, but a major move for a high-profile player seems unlikely in January.
Instead, United will look to the summer for this, but opportunities could present themselves over the winter for Rúben Amorim to add to his roster. So far, one of the names mentioned on numerous occasions has been Conor Gallagher of Atlético Madrid.
Amorim is currently favouring a midfield partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, starting with the pair in nine of the eleven opening Premier League matches. His other central options have suffered a lack of minutes; Manuel Ugarte has only started two Premier League matches, and Kobbie Mainoo hasn’t managed one.
It was made obvious that United were looking to add a new midfielder to the squad when interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba was made public. The midfield is expected to still be a priority after they missed out in the summer.
Conor Gallagher was reportedly a target for Utd late on in last summer’s transfer window, but a move never materialised. The former Chelsea academy graduate has struggled to break into Diego Simeone’s starting eleven this season, featuring just twice as a starter this campaign and as a substitute on ten occasions.
Gallagher left Chelsea for Atleti in 2024, where he was instantly adored. His hard-working nature and all-round quality made him perfect for Simeone’s team and makes him suitable for almost any style of play.
With Amorim keen to add a midfielder, Gallagher could be an interesting option if he becomes available. At just 25 years old, he has lots of experience, both in the Premier League and La Liga as well as eleven caps for England, but he still has many years of development left in him.
Gallagher makes early United transfer decision
Keith Wyness, former CEO of Aston Villa and Everton, has discussed the potential transfer on the newest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast. Wyness explains Gallagher’s situation and where his most likely destination could be.
He explained that, much like Carlos Baleba, the midfielder sees a move to United as “the one” he wants, but that at the moment, he expects the player to stay in Madrid.
“Conor’s been well received at Atlético. They like him over there, and they don’t want to let him go,” Wyness said. “I mean, there were a lot of rumours about him moving back in the summer, but he hasn’t gone. Again, rumours are now surfacing about him coming in January. I don’t really see it.
“Atlético are only fourth in the league at the moment. They want to push on. They see him as a very useful addition, and certainly Simeone likes him, so I don’t expect him to move.
“If he were to go, Man United certainly would be the one. He may suit Amorim’s style, but I wouldn’t expect him to move. I think Atlético will keep him at least for another season.”
The expectation is that United will sign two midfielders in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether they will make the signings in January or wait until the summer. A high-profile signing is most likely for the summer transfer window, but adding a midfielder halfway through the current season could be pivotal.
If Gallagher is available, he could be a really effective signing for Amorim’s side. Gallagher broke into the England squad during his time at Chelsea, where he impressed and even captained his boyhood club.
Before this, his time at Crystal Palace on loan also put him on the radar of top clubs, and having Simeone’s Atlético Madrid on your CV is not a bad thing. He could be a short-term solution to add to the team’s push for Europe, or he could be an interesting option for the long-term project.
Gallagher would be a great fit at United
Amorim’s system only includes two midfielders, but it requires them to be mobile, physically strong, and technically skilled. Since he took over, he has chosen to play Bruno Fernandes in a slightly deeper role alongside Casemiro. Fernandes recently turned 31, and Casemiro is approaching his 34th birthday in February.
This means that Utd will soon have to replace them as they prepare for the future. Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo have youth on their sides, but this could perhaps be a reason for their lack of minutes. Amorim clearly values experience in his squad and doesn’t seem to trust Mainoo or Ugarte.
Ugarte has had a tough career at Utd since he joined in 2024, but Mainoo’s lack of minutes has confused fans. When he broke into the team under Erik ten Hag, it looked like Utd had found their next academy superstar.
At 20 years of age, Mainoo is a fan favourite at Old Trafford but may be forced to look for a loan move to further his development over the next few months. It was reported that he asked to leave on loan in the summer but was denied his wish.
Read more: Bryan Mbeumo reveals closest friends in Man Utd squad and explains ‘unbelievable’ moment
United have been heavily linked with various midfielders in recent weeks as they look to make moves, either in January or next summer. The most popular names have been Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. Others include Angelo Stiller from Stuttgart and João Gomes from Wolves.
Gallagher’s departure seems unlikely in January, but a loan deal could be possible. It would seem that any deal for Gallagher would initially be a loan, potentially leading to a permanent transfer. If Atleti show willingness to do a deal, the club could jump at the opportunity mid-season. The Englishman would bring much-needed energy to the midfield and is Premier League proven.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.