Transfers
Manchester United's midfield crisis opens door for Andrey Santos
Manchester United are facing a midfield crisis after Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious injury that could rule him out until at least 2026. With Casemiro already departed and Kobbie Mainoo their only senior central midfielder, United have identified Chelsea's Brazil international Andrey Santos as a potential solution. Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for £18 million in 2023 and has since established himself in the Premier League.
United's pursuit of Santos comes amid a turbulent transfer window where their initial targets were either unavailable or priced beyond their budget. The club had pushed hard for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes but were outbid by Tottenham, who agreed an £85 million deal. Similarly, Manchester City secured Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116 million, a move that further depleted United's options.
The injury to Ugarte has complicated United's plans. The Uruguay international described the damage as "the most serious injury a footballer can face," and medical assessments suggest he will miss at least two years. This leaves United with a depleted midfield group, with only Mason Mount, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, and the Fletcher twins among the senior players available for pre-season testing.
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United have already agreed a £35 million deal for Atalanta's Ederson, but his participation in the Copa América means his medical cannot be completed until after the tournament. This delay further narrows United's options as they prepare for their first friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July, just one day before the World Cup final. Among the younger players, Jacob Devaney has impressed in a central midfield role for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, while academy prospects Jack Moorhouse, Jayce Fitzgerald, Sekou Kone, and Jim Thwaites have also featured in pre-season preparations. However, Carrick will likely prioritise senior reinforcements once the high-profile matches begin, starting with a clash against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August. United's other potential midfield targets include Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, who has been a consistent performer despite injury setbacks, and Alex Scott, who was called up to England's senior squad by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup. Arsenal are also monitoring Scott, adding another layer of competition to United's pursuit. With the midfield situation unresolved, United's options remain limited. The club's focus now appears to be on securing Santos, though Chelsea's valuation and Bournemouth's reluctance to sell key players could pose significant obstacles. Carrick will need to act quickly if he is to address the gap before the Premier League campaign resumes.