According to *The Sun*’s Manchester United correspondent Samuel Luckhurst, last summer’s transfer window was the club’s best since 2007. However, the draw against Sunderland highlighted the tough tasks ahead for this summer. The minimum goal for next season must be genuine title contention in both major competitions, with an urgent need to strengthen the squad with a powerful midfielder and an explosive left-back to upgrade the starting XI.
United have already secured Champions League qualification and are virtually guaranteed third place in the Premier League, making this season’s performance conclusive. Sunday’s match against Nottingham Forest will be Casemiro’s farewell, and next week’s trip to Brighton should be a relaxed away day for fans. But all key decisions regarding next season’s squad building have been made. Internally, the club has already identified the next manager, with Michael Carrick remaining the top candidate.
Fans are more concerned about how the team will strengthen and deepen the squad, given that this season saw only 40 games while next season will feature at least 50. Many doubters, after the draw with Sunderland, argued the current squad is not worthy of the Champions League. That is clearly true.
This season, without European duties, the squad was streamlined for domestic competitions. Finishing in the top three has exceeded expectations. Football director Jason Wilcox and head of recruitment Christopher Vivell deserve credit for an outstanding summer window—the best since 2007. Nineteen years ago, that window brought in Nani, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, and Carlos Tevez, leading to a Premier League and Champions League double.
Next season, United’s minimum target must be genuine title contention in both the league and Europe. The club has not challenged for the league title since 2013, and since the 2011 Champions League final, they have only reached the quarter-finals twice.
Harry Maguire emphasized last month that United need to strengthen both the first team and overall squad depth, a view shared internally. Departures of Casemiro and Jadon Sancho will free up significant wage space. The primary task is to find permanent homes for Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana, which could reduce the weekly wage bill by £1.125 million.
The squad urgently needs a powerful midfielder and an explosive left-back to upgrade the starting XI. Luke Shaw has had his best season, playing all 36 Premier League games, partly due to a lighter schedule. He turns 31 in July, and with Champions League football returning, he cannot shoulder the left side alone. In seasons with European commitments, Shaw has only managed 40+ appearances three times.
Midfield will be the marquee signing area this summer. Last year, United got away without strengthening, but that cannot happen again. Elliot Anderson is an ideal target, while Aurelien Tchouameni’s move becomes more likely amid Real Madrid’s internal turmoil.
Currently, only Kobbie Mainoo is a consistent midfield presence. Casemiro is leaving, and United are open to selling Manuel Ugarte, but his low market value and £25 million price tag may force him to stay. The plan is to sign two midfielders, with a third if Ugarte is sold, finally addressing the midfield depth issues that have persisted since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final years.
Joshua Zirkzee is not of United’s standard, so a more成熟 forward is needed to back up Benjamin Sesko, who is starting to justify his £74 million price tag.
On the flanks, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha are left-side options, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad provide right-side choices. Mason Mount, deployed as a defensive midfielder against Sunderland, is versatile enough to play central midfield, playmaker, or right wing. With Champions League football, his wages rise to £250,000 per week. Sir Jim Ratcliffe may find that hard to stomach for a backup, but if Mount stays fit and plays more, United can maximize his value.
Gary Neville has called for a new center-back, but with five senior options, it is not a priority. Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui can also cover at center-back competently. The concern is Lisandro Martinez, who has started only 92 games in four seasons. His contract expires next year, with a one-year option. At his best, Martinez is a starter due to his aggression, passing, and left-side balance, but injuries remain a persistent issue.
Matthijs de Ligt has been out since November 30 with a back injury and will likely miss the rest of the season, making him unsellable this summer. Before his injury, he was in top form, starting every league game.
In goal, Radek Vitek has won multiple awards at Bristol City and deserves to stay as backup to Tom Heaton. At 22, Vitek and 23-year-old Heaton form a young goalkeeper pair, but Vitek has two years left on his contract, protecting his resale value. Altay Bayindir is expected to return to Turkey, while United have not decided on 40-year-old Tom Heaton.
The first-team squad must be kept to 24 players, with Champions League homegrown quota requirements. Currently, only Mainoo qualifies. Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, and Harry Amas may stay to fulfill quotas. Left-back Amas impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich before a hamstring injury ended his season in January.
Fifteen-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel will be eligible for Premier League action next season. He trained with the first team last week and was one of only two academy talents without injuries.
Michael Carrick’s son, Jacey Carrick, is also in the academy, giving young players hope. Carrick said in January, “Every young player needs and deserves a chance.” Tyler Fletcher is the only academy graduate to make his first-team debut under Carrick so far.