Manchester United are still keen on signing a new midfielder this summer after Rúben Amorim purchased Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
As pre-season gets underway and Ruben Amorim prepares for his first full campaign at Old Trafford, Manchester United remain active in the transfer market, still pursuing several key targets.
Revamping the attack has been a major focus for Amorim this summer, and the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo suggest that vision is beginning to take shape.
With the transfer window entering its final month, United are still in the market for an experienced centre-forward, a goalkeeper to challenge André Onana, and a defensive midfielder to partner captain Bruno Fernandes.
United’s squad is in need of some depth in the midfield department. Christian Eriksen left the club as a free agent, Casemiro’s future remains uncertain, and Manuel Ugarte had inconsistent form throughout the season.
Conor Gallagher could become available
Joining Atletico Madrid in 2024, Conor Gallagher enjoyed an impressive first season, cementing his place in Diego Simeone’s midfield.
Spanish clubs are only allowed three players without EU citizenship, and with the club signing Argentinian forward Thiago Almada, they now have four, meaning one of the three will depart this summer, casting doubt on Gallagher’s future at Atleti.
The 25-year-old is held in high regard by Simeone and is used more than the current three non-EU players, with the club attempting to utilise Gallagher’s Irish heritage to classify him as an EU player.
Former United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen encouraged the club to pursue Gallagher and spoke about what he would bring to the side.
“Conor Gallagher would bring bags of energy to Manchester United; that is something they have been lacking in the middle of the park,” Meulensteen said. “There is Manuel Ugarte there, but I don’t think he has the best legs in terms of covering distances.
“We don’t know what is happening with Casemiro, if he will still be part of the squad after playing more games than expected last year. I thought Gallagher was very good for Chelsea, he’s a hardworking boy who covers the ground quickly, he’s tenacious, he is someone that could fit in.”
Gallgher would suit Amorim’s system
Speaking after his side’s 0-0 draw in their first pre-season game against Leeds in Stockholm, Sweden, Amorim spoke on the “lack of pace” in the midfield, signalling to the board that he needs midfield reinforcements.
Gallagher would be an excellent addition to the side, aligning with Amorim’s preferred transfer strategy of signing players with Premier League experience, given the physical nature of the league. Gallagher made 136 league appearances for Chelsea, West Brom, and Crystal Palace before making the switch to Spain.
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Gallagher excels in high-energy, pressing systems, a style that Sporting CP was well known for under Amorim’s management, and his tactical versatility would also be valuable. He normally plays as a box-to-box midfielder, but also has experience playing in more advanced positions.
A defensive midfield pairing of Fernandes and Gallagher could leave the defence exposed, as neither is a proper defensive midfielder. There were rumours, however, that Amorim may tweak his system to allow his captain to be a central attacking midfielder, where he has thrived in previous seasons.
If that were the case, a midfield pairing of Ugarte and Gallagher could complement each other well. Ugarte’s ball-winning ability and positional awareness provide the defensive anchor, allowing Gallagher’s high pressing, energy, and late runs into the box to shine.
Rene Meulensteen was speaking to Grosvenor Casino.
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