Manchester United are set for a busy summer transfer window, with several key players eyeing exits and Ruben Amorim aiming to strengthen his squad in all areas.
Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha has agreed a £62.5million deal to become the first summer signing at Old Trafford, but United could be looking for a brand-new frontline as well as potential midfield reinforcements and possibly a goalkeeping refresh.
Amorim will hope that the opportunity to build a squad suited to his system can help United improve on the historic lows of a 2024-25 season in which they finished 15th in the Premier League, ending up trophyless and without European football next season following their Europa League final defeat.
Top priority
After completing the Cunha deal, United’s top priority is a new centre-forward to play in front of the Brazilian in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Teenage striker Chido Obi may have impressed with a brace against Hong Kong last week, but the 17-year-old is still too raw to lead the line week in, week out.
As for United’s first-choice strikers, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed just 17 goals combined from their 99 appearances in all competitions last season - hardly reliable enough numbers for a team looking to challenge for the top half of the table let alone trophies.
What else they need
Cunha’s arrival to play in a left-sided No10 role he’s relatively familiar with will boost Amorim’s squad immensely, especially with a few outgoing transfers expected from that area of the field.
But United could perhaps still do with another versatile attacker in their ranks as well as a midfielder to bolster the double pivot, particularly given Kobbie Mainoo’s recent injury struggles and Casemiro’s ageing legs.
A new goalkeeper - to challenge Andre Onana or take the No1 spot outright - might be a nice addition if funds are raised and a suitable option is available.
The rest of the backline, while defensively suspect at times, is reasonably well-stocked with a variety of options at centre-back and on each flank.
Possible ins
Addressing the top priority first, United were reportedly keen on Liam Delap before the Ipswich Town striker instead agreed to join Chelsea.
United are expected to open talks with Brentford over striker Bryan Mbeumo, who is wanted by several clubs but has indicated his first-choice is to move to Old Trafford.
Victor Osimhen is a much-discussed alternative, given he’s on his way out of Napoli and is fresh from a prolific loan season at Galatasaray.
There’s a chance Viktor Gyokeres could be persuaded to swap Lisbon for Manchester to reunite with former Sporting boss Amorim, although United’s lack of European football could be a hindrance with the in-demand Swede having plenty of other admirers.
In goal, meanwhile, there have been some reports of interest in the likes of Lille’s Lucas Chevalier and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.
Possible outs
Bruno Fernandes looks set to stay at Old Trafford after rejecting a move to Al-Hilal.
There have been reports that Alejandro Garnacho has been told by Amorim to find a new club, so it wouldn’t be as surprising to see the Argentine headed elsewhere this summer.
The same goes for Marcus Rashford, who is pursuing alternative destinations following his loan spell at Aston Villa.
It’s those latter two likely exits that have sparked the rumours of someone like Mbeumo heading to Old Trafford, to take up the other attacking midfield role alongside Cunha and behind Amorim’s chosen striker.
Any departures elsewhere, including possible sales of Zirkzee, Hojlund or Onana, are likely to be dictated by incomings.
