The biggest winner from Manchester United’s summer transfer window may yet be a player already at the club who’s yet to play under Rúben Amorim.
Manchester United closed their 2025 summer transfer window by securing Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens for £18 million, with the 22-year-old recognised as one of Europe’s most talented young shot-stoppers.
Their total investment comes to roughly £215 million, a sum that could rise above £240 million if all add-on clauses are fulfilled.
Alongside Lammens, United bolstered their attack with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško, while teenage left-back Diego Leon joined in July.
In terms of outgoings, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Antony were among those to move on, with Alejandro Garnacho’s £40 million transfer to Chelsea the standout departure.
Why United did not sign a midfielder
Last season, there was consistent talk about United’s midfield problems and the gaping hole Amorim seems to have in the middle of the park. Although the club were very interested in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a midfielder was not signed this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, barring the club’s interest in Baleba, who Amorim sees as a perfect signing, reinforcing the midfield was never a priority this summer, with United seeing their current options as strong and versatile.
United have five senior players who Amorims sees as possible options for the midfield two, with Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, and Casemiro having all featured there so far this season.
Although the club did enquire about a possible loan move for Connor Gallagher, Atletico Madrid made it clear that they would only consider a permanent sale, so they quickly moved on from their interest in the Englishman.
United are expected to revisit the midfield position either in the January transfer window or next summer, with Baleba no doubt their first-choice option. But, with the futures of Fernandes and Casemiro also uncertain next summer, the club may have to sign up to three new midfielders.
Kone emerging as United’s biggest transfer window winner
Earlier this summer, reports came out that United were no longer considering a loan move for young midfielder Sekou Kone, who was initially touted to head to INEOS-owned Swiss side Lausanne-Sport for the season.
Kone is known to be an imposing deep-lying midfielder, but is yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim as he has nursed a few injuries in the last 12 months and played all of his game-time with the U21s.
But, with Amorim possibly needing a new defensive midfielder as the season progresses, the club’s decision not to sign a midfielder despite pressure to do so from the Old Trafford faithful may prove pivotal for Kone’s development.
Amorim is known to appreciate Kone’s abilities both on and off the ball, and praised him during the club’s post-season tour in Asia.
Once Kone returns from he head injury he suffered last month, his obvious role should be that he becomes increasingly involved in first-team training and able to compete for a spot at the club.
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