Casemiro has already left Old Trafford, Ugarte is injured, and the major signings that Manchester United fans were hoping for have failed to materialize: the much-anticipated midfield “rebuild” is being marked by unforeseen circumstances and deals yet to be finalized. With the 2026/27 season on the horizon and a return to the Champions League demanding an immediate response, Michael Carrick faces a puzzle in strengthening one of the most under-resourced areas of the squad.
The plan laid out by the Red Devils' management anticipated the arrival of two, perhaps three top midfielders, capable of filling the void left by Casemiro and providing depth to an exposed sector. This week, the club finally moved into the market: a £50 million deal with Chelsea for Andrey Santos is closed, and Ederson from Atalanta is set to undergo medical examinations before completing a £38 million transfer. However, these names fall short of the star status that many had expected, raising doubts among fans about the club's ambitions during this transfer window.
The difficulty in securing first-choice targets became evident: Elliot Anderson, a priority target, moved to Manchester City for a staggering £116 million, while Mateus Fernandes joined Tottenham for £85 million. To make matters worse, Spurs also secured Sandro Tonali for £100 million, taking another elite option off the English market. United closely monitored Tonali but never formalized an offer. Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni, another coveted name, renewed his contract with Real Madrid, and Alex Scott from Bournemouth remains off the table.
The urgency is exacerbated by the state of the squad: with Ugarte sidelined for the long term, only Kobbie Mainoo is available as a natural central midfielder, while Mason Mount had to occasionally play that role last season. This scarcity raises the question: can United rebuild the midfield with the quality and experience necessary to compete for the top spots and face the demanding Champions League schedule?
Despite the risks, the club's decision-makers see potential in Andrey Santos for rapid development. Christopher Vivell, the recruitment director, was instrumental in this bet, believing in the qualities of the young Brazilian, even acknowledging that he arrives with less experience than other targets. Ederson, on the other hand, impressed in the Champions League and Serie A, but remains an unknown regarding his adaptation to English football.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
Manchester United showed flexibility in securing Santos, but this option is far from unanimous. The player is valued for his defensive ability and combative nature, capable of operating from deeper positions as well as more advanced areas of the pitch. The club believes that Santos offers the capacity to break through opposing lines, a highly sought-after characteristic in this market. Nevertheless, the comparison with Tchouameni is inevitable: the Frenchman, at 26 years old and with 317 high-level matches, presents himself as a much more complete and experienced midfielder compared to Santos, who is 22 and still has a nascent career.
With the imminent closure of the signings of Santos and Ederson, Manchester United enters the decisive weeks of the transfer market with more questions than answers. The pressure is on Carrick and the management structure to ensure not only depth but also top-quality in a crucial area for the club's aspirations. Time is against Old Trafford, and the coming days promise to be decisive for the future of the Red Devils' midfield.
AGORA PODE ACOMPANHAR O MUNDIAL DE FUTEBOL COM TODA INFORMAÇÃO – AQUI
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