What + who are our top summer 2026 targets?

[Overhaul FC]

Agent Casemiro at 2026 World Cup, would be the perfect parting gift but no chance geordies sell to us

I'm imagining Cunha also tapping him up. You never know! Hopefully there's someone at INEOS that thinks the same.

 

[AkaAkuma]

I just can't see him wanting to leave Villa unless they spectacularly dropped out of the CL spots

Emery is being linked with Real.

 

[goldenboy]

Agent Casemiro at 2026 World Cup, would be the perfect parting gift but no chance geordies sell to us

I'm imagining Cunha also tapping him up. You never know! Hopefully there's someone at INEOS that thinks the same.

Depending on other circumstances, with just 2 years left on his deal Guimaraes might be gettable for the right price, but I'm not sure Ineos seem the sorts to pay £70mil or so for a 28 year-old who you'd probably only get 3, maybe 4, good seasons out of.

 

[croadyman]

Depending on other circumstances, with just 2 years left on his deal Guimaraes might be gettable for the right price, but I'm not sure Ineos seem the sorts to pay £70mil or so for a 28 year-old who you'd probably only get 3, maybe 4, good seasons out of.

Yeah the age factor will definitely come into play

 

[philippexyz]

Lammens/GK
Maz/Dalot - de Ligt/Yoro - Martinez/Heaven - Shaw/Dorgu
CM/CM - Mainoo/CM
Amad/Lacey - Bruno/Mount - Cunha/LW
Sesko/Mbeumo

​

Central midfield should be the top priority. Probably three new signings - two who are starter level quality and a backup option.

A goalkeeper to provide adequate competition for Lammens.

A natural left sided attacker.

If Bruno leaves, we need a replacement.

This is it.

Assuming Bruno stays and Ugarte is sold - 3 midfielders, a left winger and a cheaper back up keeper as a competition for Lammens.

Primary target of the summer - Elliot Anderson. I think we are going to be able to get one of Anderson, Baleba, Wharton(Baleba seems most realistic, but Anderson should be #1 choice). Getting 2 out of that 3 would be awesome, but not gonna happen, I think. The other 2 midfield signings are going to be cheaper(and likely outside of PL) - not in the £80-100m territory like these 3 mentioned above.

Fullback reinforcements are gonna have to wait for summer 2027(mediocre Dalot and aging, injury prone Shaw).

 

[croadyman]

We will make atleast 6 new signings in Summer which Will definitely include one attacker minimum .

Admire that level of confidence

 

[gajender]

Admire that level of confidence

Believe my friend we are finally gonna complete the rebuild and have a team worthy of challenging for highest honours .

 

[Red4Life_#7]

Casemiro is levels above most mids in world football, he reads the game so well. We need him for another season geeez.

Ruben Neves on a free. Baleba if the fee is around £60m and Ayyoub Bouaddi. Emerson is another option.

 

[Walrus]

We need two CMs, and then for me the next priority is a good LB. Shaw is having a good season but we can’t go into the next relying on him, with only the likes of Dorgu and Amass as backup.

Between Dorgu and Cunha I don’t think we need another LW.

 

[Rozay]

Some of our needs depend on departures.

We need two midfielders. Some are saying three, but I think there’s a balance to be struck with some of our most promising young players. I’d like Baleba plus one in midfield (either Anderson or another is fine). I don’t agree with any mandate of needing to buy a partner for Mainoo. Mainoo should not be a guaranteed starter for me. If we can have a group of Mainoo plus two new signings, then I’d be happy for Koné to step up as the 3rd midfielder to join the squad next season.

As I’ve said in another thread, I think we need one more forward and that should be a LW ideally. Once we add those 3 players, along with Kone and Lacey joining the group, we’ll be in a much stronger place. I think we’re fine at centre half with De Ligt, Yoro, Martinez and Heaven. I’m okay at RB with Dalot/Mazraoui unless one of them leaves. Left back is fine but that is contingent upon Dorgu playing there, which I think he should.

 

[RedEarth]

Nathan Collins could be a decent signing I reckon. Always good for United to have an Irish defender, we've been well-served by them. He has a good appearance record at all his clubs, a decade left in the tank, and is a good organiser as well. He could be the squad replacement for Harry Maguire, and if Maguire gets an extra year and United get into Europe, then should be enough games to justify it.

I don't think Yoro or Heaven are anywhere near ready to be starting regularly so we'll need another CB. A good, solid, proper defender like Collins could work out well and might not be so expensive.

 

[Nobby style]

Is Sander Berge still on our radar? Have always been impressed by him. Thought he was a very good Fulham side’s best player. Him and Anderson would be fantastic pick up for the midfield, at a much lower cost. He’d be great to bring in when protecting a lead, bringing much needed control in the midfield

 

[Tallis]

Is Sander Berge still on our radar? Have always been impressed by him. Thought he was a very good Fulham side’s best player. Him and Anderson would be fantastic pick up for the midfield, at a much lower cost. He’d be great to bring in when protecting a lead, bringing much needed control in the midfield

Doesn't seem to be on our radar anymore but do agree that someone of that profile will be handy in the squad.

 

[Rozay]

Players need to go too. We’ve done a decent job of late getting rid of some, although the job was only half done. We failed to get Chelsea to exercise what seemed to be a cast-iron buyout clause for Sancho, Barcelona are now trying to back out of paying for Rashford, and no guarantee that Napoli will make the CL either and be compelled to buy Hojlund. We could really use the funds for Hojlund/Rashford.

We also need to find a way to get rid of Mason Mount, which won’t be easy at all.

 

[JoeyJoJoJrShabadoo]

Players need to go too. We’ve done a decent job of late getting rid of some, although the job was only half done. We failed to get Chelsea to exercise what seemed to be a cast-iron buyout clause for Sancho, Barcelona are now trying to back out of paying for Rashford, and no guarantee that Napoli will make the CL either and be compelled to buy Hojlund. We could really use the funds for Hojlund/Rashford.

We also need to find a way to get rid of Mason Mount, which won’t be easy at all.

Mount will be the new Phil Jones and retire on the physio bench

 

[sleepehead]

Admire that level of confidence

Its possible, I think we'll sign a minimum of 5 but 6 will be if we are able to move more players like Mount.

2 CM/CDMs
1 CB
1 LW
1 ST
1 CAM/CM depending on who is our coach next season

CB, LW, ST will be backups or potential future player.

 

[Kevin]

Baleba looks dogshit btw

 

[GaryLifo]

Baleba looks dogshit btw

Great goal yesterday mate.

 

[KStandBarmyArmy1993]

The priority for the summer is:
1) Starting midfielder (Elliot Anderson)
2) Back up midfielder that can potentially replace Ugarte's role in the squad (Ruben Neves)
3)An additional attacking player as back up needed with all the extra matches to maybe replace Zirkzee in the squad on less wages (Welbeck)
4) A back up keeper to replace Bayindir
5) Maybe a first choice right back with the view that Dalot is still a good back up for 12 months and that Mazraoui can be something of a utility player. Again, strength in depth is needed.

At CB, additions will depend on whether Maguire stays on and if De Ligt can stay fit.

With Rashford, Hoijlund and (hopefully) Sancho leaving permanently alongside Casemiro and maybe Bayindir, Zirkzee and Ugarte, that will look a significantly better squad with the wage bill reduced significantly.

We'd still be a couple short from properly challenging for the big trophies, but I think we almost have to view it as three transfer window process especially in a World Cup summer.

 

[SWE-Chucky]

Barcelona are now trying to back out of paying for Rashford, and no guarantee that Napoli will make the CL either and be compelled to buy Hojlund. We could really use the funds for Hojlund/Rashford.

Napolis president (and Fabrizio confirmed that) said last month that they consider Höjlund a Napoli player this and the next coming years so that sounded like they will pay the fee for him and keep him, while reports from Spain said today that Barcelona are very happy with Rashford, he has 22G+A in 30 games for them, and that they will pay the £30m for him this summer.

Also both Höjlund and Rashford seem very happy in Napoli/Barcelona.

To be honest, IF they would return, i would not be too unhappy with either of them coming back, because we could need a LW (Rashford) and competition for Sesko in another young player like Höjlund who has been playing very well this season (not only the goals but his runs, placement in front of goal and link up play has improved a whole lot this season). I am not sure we can find a better LW for £30m or a better striker for, is it £40m we will get from Napoli (?), if we want to have more depth in our squad. Specially if we qualify for CL, and hopefully stay longer in both cups, then we will be playing 2 games most weeks instead of 1.

-------------------------------------------------------Lammens/GK
-----------Dalot/Maz - De Ligt/Maguire/Yoro - Martinez/Heaven - Shaw/LB
----------------------------------Mainoo/CM - Bruno/Mount - CM
--------------------------Mbuemo/Amad - Sesko/Höjlund - Cunha/Rashford

I believe that having them back would benefit us very much IF we could still bring 2 CMs of the highest level, a good LB and a young talented GK to compete with Lammens. The biggest problem is that I am not sure our finances allows that much spending because those 4 signings would cost us somewhere around £200-220m while the returns of the 2 players would lower our sales with around £70m.

Also not sure which players we will sell this summer that will bring in some money that we can reinvest without making our squad worse (for example selling Bruno to the Saudis).

 

[Pscholes18]

The priority for the summer is:
1) Starting midfielder (Elliot Anderson)
2) Back up midfielder that can potentially replace Ugarte's role in the squad (Ruben Neves)
3)An additional attacking player as back up needed with all the extra matches to maybe replace Zirkzee in the squad on less wages (Welbeck)
4) A back up keeper to replace Bayindir
5) Maybe a first choice right back with the view that Dalot is still a good back up for 12 months and that Mazraoui can be something of a utility player. Again, strength in depth is needed.

At CB, additions will depend on whether Maguire stays on and if De Ligt can stay fit.

With Rashford, Hoijlund and (hopefully) Sancho leaving permanently alongside Casemiro and maybe Bayindir, Zirkzee and Ugarte, that will look a significantly better squad with the wage bill reduced significantly.

We'd still be a couple short from properly challenging for the big trophies, but I think we almost have to view it as three transfer window process especially in a World Cup summer.

2....so no Beleba?

 

[Pscholes18]

Baleba looks dogshit btw

So which is it? Last year he was solid, this year, he seems to be a bit shite.

 

[croadyman]

Its possible, I think we'll sign a minimum of 5 but 6 will be if we are able to move more players like Mount.

2 CM/CDMs
1 CB
1 LW
1 ST
1 CAM/CM depending on who is our coach next season

CB, LW, ST will be backups or potential future player.

So are you saying that only certain Utd coaches would want to sign a CAM/CM alongside the midfield pivot

 

[Freak]

I think we need to strengthen the following positions this summer:

3 CMs - this position needs a complete rebuild considering it is already thin and we will be losing Case and most likely Ugarte will be sold. 2 out of Anderson/Baleba/Wharton would be great and then add one more youngish midfielder with potential (unless Kone or Jack Fletcher step up to fulfill this role).

Either a left winger or left back - this depends on which position the club sees Dorgu’s future at. If it’s at left back then get a left winger and vice versa.

Striker - we will most likely sell Zirkzee so we’ll need a back up to Sesko. Unless the club decides that Mbeumo and Cunha are enough to cover this area at times.

Attacking mid - only if Bruno decides to leave. Else we are ok here. We need to get rid of Mount though. Lots of talk about Palmer. Let’s see how this plays out but I hope we keep Bruno and promote someone from the academy to understudy him.

 

[sleepehead]

So are you saying that only certain Utd coaches would want to sign a CAM/CM alongside the midfield pivot

It's more depending on the coach we'll see if we stick with 433 vs 4321 in the future, are we looking for an 8 vs a 10. Whoever becomes the coach after this season will most likely keep Bruno as the CAM and in another year or 2 we could see him starting less and less just to save his legs, we do have to plan for post-Bruno at some point. I think the team will want to at least buy 1 young midfield talent that's better attacking, and depending on the situation I think we can have a chance at some good prospects this summer. TBF I think a young attacking midfielder is on the lowest priority this summer, but I'm also worried that if Bruno goes down with an injury next season we're not prepared to make up that difference. This would definitely be a luxury buy, but I feel like we're focused on 1 part of the field every summer and this summer it'll be a midfield overhaul.

 

[croadyman]

The priority for the summer is:
1) Starting midfielder (Elliot Anderson)
2) Back up midfielder that can potentially replace Ugarte's role in the squad (Ruben Neves)
3)An additional attacking player as back up needed with all the extra matches to maybe replace Zirkzee in the squad on less wages (Welbeck)
4) A back up keeper to replace Bayindir
5) Maybe a first choice right back with the view that Dalot is still a good back up for 12 months and that Mazraoui can be something of a utility player. Again, strength in depth is needed.

At CB, additions will depend on whether Maguire stays on and if De Ligt can stay fit.

With Rashford, Hoijlund and (hopefully) Sancho leaving permanently alongside Casemiro and maybe Bayindir, Zirkzee and Ugarte, that will look a significantly better squad with the wage bill reduced significantly.

We'd still be a couple short from properly challenging for the big trophies, but I think we almost have to view it as three transfer window process especially in a World Cup summer.

What else do you think we would need to add in order to challenge for Premier League/Champions League then?

 

[Davicho]

Sell

Ugarte
Zirkzee
Rashford
Onana
Malacia
Mount
Sancho

Buy

Backup GK
Starting DM
Backup DM
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo
Backup LB/LW depends on Dorgu
Starting LW
Backup CF

For me that would be the perfect window.

 

[Escobar]

Sell

Ugarte
Zirkzee
Rashford
Onana
Malacia
Mount
Sancho

Buy

Backup GK
Starting DM
Backup DM
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo
Backup LB/LW depends on Dorgu
Starting LW
Backup CF

For me that would be the perfect window.

Can agree with most except that starting LW. With Dorgu and also spending 60m on Cunha I doubt this is needed

 

[KStandBarmyArmy1993]

What else do you think we would need to add in order to challenge for Premier League/Champions League then?

I think a top level centre back and a long term replacement for Shaw at left back would be ideal.

 

[Davicho]

Can agree with most except that starting LW. With Dorgu and also spending 60m on Cunha I doubt this is needed

For me Cunha is not a starting LW for a top level side. I know he plays there and has a lot of quality but the defensive work is not in him. We suffered that against Fulham.
I'd invest there, and obiously if he earns his place, good for him. Also he can be an option for all front four positions, but i think he is best playing from central areas, with freedom to move, and limited defensive work.

 

[pascell]

Sell

Ugarte
Zirkzee
Rashford
Onana
Malacia
Mount
Sancho

Buy

Backup GK
Starting DM
Backup DM
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo
Backup LB/LW depends on Dorgu
Starting LW
Backup CF

For me that would be the perfect window.

We're not signing 7 players in one window, it'll be 4 at a push.

Also, Malacia contract runs out this summer, so he'll be going for free.

 

[Escobar]

For me Cunha is not a starting LW for a top level side. I know he plays there and has a lot of quality but the defensive work is not in him. We suffered that against Fulham.
I'd invest there, and obiously if he earns his place, good for him. Also he can be an option for all front four positions, but i think he is best playing from central areas, with freedom to move, and limited defensive work.

Both goals came over our right side.
I find his work rate good enough for a winger. He is getting better and has added goals, and I would be interested to see which player would be so much better

 

[IrwinwasbetterthanCarlos]

We're not signing 7 players in one window, it'll be 4 at a push.

Also, Malacia contract runs out this summer, so he'll be going for free.

I think 5 is a realistic number, but a couple will be squad options. Likely that one this summer will be a backup keeper.

 

[KStandBarmyArmy1993]

Suggestion on the Red News podcast that there's interest in bringing McTominay back.

 

[daba]

Sell

Ugarte
Zirkzee
Rashford
Onana
Malacia
Mount
Sancho

Buy

Backup GK
Starting DM
Backup DM
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo
Backup LB/LW depends on Dorgu
Starting LW
Backup CF

For me that would be the perfect window.

Sell

Ugarte - 30m
Zirkzee - 25
Rashford - 26m
Onana - 10m
Malacia - 0m
Mount - 20m
Sancho - 0m
Hojlund - 40m
Dalot - 35m

You missed Hojlund and I would also personally add Dalot to the mix IF we can replace him with a promising young RB.

Buy

Backup GK - Nick Pope - 0m
Starting DM - Anderson - 100m (Plan B - Kouadio Kone 50m)
Backup DM - Ruben Neves - 0m
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo - Mateus Fernandes or Alex Scott - 60m (Plan B - De Cat / Bouaddi 30m/50m)
Backup LW - Mateus Mane - 40m
Backup CF - Welbeck - 0m
Starting/Backup RB - Kayode 40m (Plan B - Alex Jimenez 35m)


That would leave us with a squad of:

GK
Lammens
Pope
Heaton

RB
Kayode or Jimenez
Mazraoui

CB
De Ligt
Martinez
Yoro
Heaven
Maguire

LB
Shaw
Dorgu
Leon (I'd prioritise giving Amass more time on loan with a view of him replacing Shaw in 2027/28)

CM
Anderson
Neves
Mainoo
Fernandes or Scott
+Youth

AM/LW/RW
Bruno
Cunha
Amad
Mbuemo
Mane
Lacey

ST
Sesko
Welbeck

 

[GGMUFinest]

Don’t see the point in bringing in a back up keeper as some of you have listed above Vitek has been fantastic on loan at Bristol City in the championship arguably best goalkeeper in the league shades of Courtois about him he is colossal.

 

[IrwinwasbetterthanCarlos]

Don’t see the point in bringing in a back up keeper as some of you have listed above Vitek has been fantastic on loan at Bristol City in the championship arguably best goalkeeper in the league shades of Courtois about him he is colossal.

If he’s been that good in the Championship, get him on loan to a Prem team next season. An experienced backup to Lammens would seem sensible, especially a home grown one that can be turned into a third choice if Vitek ends up the business.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

People are going to laugh at this one…

What about Harry Wilson from Fulham? He’s on a free, he’s neat and tidy, and presumably wouldn’t be on a high wage. Whilst he plays predominantly on the right would provide good depth - especially as we might have 10-20 more games than we have this season.

Obviously not suggesting him as a marque signing - but we are going to need depth, and can’t spend £60-80m on every player we buy.

 

[Handré1990]

Is Sander Berge still on our radar? Have always been impressed by him. Thought he was a very good Fulham side’s best player. Him and Anderson would be fantastic pick up for the midfield, at a much lower cost. He’d be great to bring in when protecting a lead, bringing much needed control in the midfield

Don’t think he is, sadly. He’s every bit as important for Norway as Haaland and Ødegaard, though, and I personally would’ve loved to sign him.

 

[CM]

People are going to laugh at this one…

What about Harry Wilson from Fulham? He’s on a free, he’s neat and tidy, and presumably wouldn’t be on a high wage. Whilst he plays predominantly on the right would provide good depth - especially as we might have 10-20 more games than we have this season.

Obviously not suggesting him as a marque signing - but we are going to need depth, and can’t spend £60-80m on every player we buy.

Right wing is the last position in the squad that needs strengthening given we already have Mbuemo, Amad and Lacey.

Harry Wilson wouldn't be a needle mover even if the position wasn't already well stocked though. He's a midtable player having the best purple patch of his career at 28 years old.