Manchester United have made four senior signings this summer, totalling £214 million in total, and there could still be more to come before the end of the transfer window.
Manchester United look set to complete the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for a total package of close to £74 million, as Jason Wilcox’s fourth senior signing of the summer to bolster Rúben Amorim’s squad after the dismal Premier League campaign last season.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have also joined for big fees – United were forced into paying Cunha’s full £62.5 million release clause to prize him away from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while weeks of negotiating led to a £71 million fee for Brentford.
All of this together, and the £6.5 million spent on Diego Leon, totals close to £214 million, with the potential that United still spend more money before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
The transfer team have been considering making another approach for a goalkeeper after Aston Villa turned down a loan move for Emiliano Martínez. United are also pursuing several midfield targets, including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who the club feel wants to sign despite a deal being difficult.
Cost-cutting has allowed United to spend big
The Telegraph have reported that the main reason behind United’s willingness to break out the chequebook was the cost-cutting that Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a key role in towards the end of last season.
In the last year, 450 jobs have been cut at Old Trafford, leading to the club saving millions across the year, which can now be spent on new additions to improve the playing squad.
Ratcliffe had previously stated that the club would have run out of cash by the end of 2025, so the cost-cutting measures were absolutely necessary.
The Red Devils have also reduced their first-team wage by 21 per cent, equating to £71.2 million spent on players for the quarter; this will likely increase when the new signings are registered for the new Premier League season.
Marcus Rashford’s loan move has also saved United £12.75 million in wages alone, as the former No.10 was given a new contract worth over 300k per week for his performances after the 2022 World Cup.
The extra sales could help United spend more
While Rashford has left the club for the 2025/26 season, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho remain United players for the time being, with the beginning of the season less than one week away.
Garnacho appears to be the closest to a move away from Old Trafford, after coming to an agreement with Chelsea on personal terms, but the clubs still need to agree on a valuation for the Argentine.
Malacia and Sancho could struggle for permanent moves this summer, especially if United begin to focus their attention on a new goalkeeper or midfielder, but their sales could prove valuable in the pursuit of a new addition.
Antony may not move away from Old Trafford until the final days of the transfer window, as the Brazilian appears to be holding out for a return to Real Betis, having rejected offers from Saudi Arabia and now Benfica.
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