The Daily Mail has outlined Manchester United's recent transfer setbacks and answered key transfer questions from fans.

Manchester United failed to sign Matheus Fernandes from West Ham before Tottenham, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the club's midfield reconstruction this summer. Earlier, they also lost out to Manchester City in the race for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, who commanded a £116 million bid.

A serious knee injury sustained by Uruguay international Ugarte during last weekend's Copa América match has further complicated Manchester United's transfer situation.

Manchester United initially agreed a £39 million deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson and planned to bring in two additional midfielders and a left winger. Ugarte's serious injury has raised external concerns that the club may struggle to secure two new midfielders, and this setback could indirectly affect Rashford's future.

Why Did Manchester United Lose Out to Tottenham on Fernandes?

After missing out on Anderson, this Portuguese midfielder became Manchester United's primary transfer target. The loss to Manchester City was purely down to the club's inability to match the £116 million transfer fee and wages; however, the failure to sign Fernandes stems from Manchester United's unwillingness to match Tottenham's club-record offer of £85 million.

Sources revealed that Manchester United remained in contention until Tuesday, but Fernandes' asking price kept rising. Tottenham was willing to pay the full £85 million transfer fee outright with no add-ons, while Manchester United chose to halt negotiations and withdraw from the race.

Matheus Fernandes will join Tottenham, with their £85 million offer beating Manchester United.

Another key factor was Fernandes' indecisiveness; he showed no clear preference for either Manchester United or Tottenham during negotiations. Manchester United prefers to recruit players eager to join them, and last summer, both Matheus Cunha and Meumo actively pushed for moves to Old Trafford, allowing Manchester United to complete signings at reasonable fees.

Meumo, in particular, rejected Tottenham's offer at the time and made clear to Brentford that he only wanted to join Manchester United, and the club's third bid ultimately convinced Brentford.

What Are Manchester United's Current Transfer Targets?

With Casemiro departing on a free transfer, strengthening the midfield is Manchester United's primary focus this summer, and the club has identified several candidates.

Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister is highly favored by Manchester United and will be a primary target; however, insiders state that following the Fernandes setback, the club is reassessing its strategy, and it's too early to draw conclusions.

Arsenal is the main rival for Mac Allister, with Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham also interested. Brighton remain firm and plan to extend his contract, which currently runs until 2028. Previously valued at around £60 million, Brighton's asking price is likely to rise further given the inflated fees for Anderson and Fernandes.

Tchouameni is also a midfielder closely monitored by Manchester United, but with Mourinho now coaching Real Madrid, the French star is unlikely to leave, and the high transfer fee and wages would be significant obstacles.

Other alternatives include Mac Allister's Brighton teammate Evan Ferguson and Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund; Manchester United's interest in Tonali waned significantly before Tottenham secured him for £100 million. Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are currently not in the club's main discussion scope for this summer.

Many Manchester United fans were initially skeptical about signing Ederson, and the subsequent Fernandes failure has increased skepticism, though some supporters back the club's budget discipline and refusal to overpay.

How Has Ugarte's Injury Changed the Transfer Strategy?

Ugarte suffered an ACL tear while representing Uruguay against Spain, and while sympathy has been extended from all quarters, the reality is that Manchester United had originally planned to move the 25-year-old midfielder on during their summer squad rebuild. Now that he requires an extended recovery period, he is likely to remain with the team for another year.

However, insiders say this has little impact on Manchester United's transfer plans, as the club intended to loan him out anyway and will not lose the transfer fee as a result.

Moreover, since he was injured while playing for his country, his wages will be covered by FIFA's Club Protection Program, leaving the club with substantial salary cap room.

In theory, Manchester United can proceed with their transfer plans as originally intended: after spending £39 million on Ederson, they can still allocate £80 million to find a Casemiro replacement and potentially add another midfielder to strengthen the squad.

Other positions to be strengthened this summer: left-back, left winger, backup goalkeeper, and striker (depending on player sales).

Latest on Rashford

Rashford currently remains a Manchester United player with two years remaining on his contract. After the Copa América, he will take a brief rest and is scheduled to return to Carrington late this month for pre-season training. He has spent the last 18 months largely on loan, playing for Aston Villa and Barcelona.

A year ago, then-manager Amorim placed him on the list of players to be sold, and now, if the 28-year-old Rashford returns, he hopes to reintegrate into the first team under Michael Carrick.

Manchester United is seeking a left winger this summer, and in theory, Rashford would be the optimal solution. He performed brilliantly at the Copa América, outshining Barcelona's £70 million signing Antony Gordon.

However, with Casemiro's departure, Rashford's weekly wage of £315,000 is now the highest at the club; the club wants to streamline its wage structure and prefers to sell him for around £40 million.

Barcelona did not activate the £26 million purchase option in the loan deal, so if no other club is found before he returns, Manchester United has no choice but to take him back.

While the possibility of Rashford remaining at Manchester United next season cannot be completely ruled out, all parties believe a transfer would benefit both sides, and Barcelona may attempt to loan him out again to test Manchester United's resolve.

Which Other Players Could Depart?

Onana has been loaned out again to Trabzonspor, and Bayindir will likely leave, so Manchester United needs to find a new backup for primary goalkeeper Ramsdale. Striker recruitment will depend on whether Zirkzee can be offloaded.

Manchester United is interested in strengthening the left-back position, but there are no plans to adjust other defensive positions this summer; the club intends to overhaul the defense next summer.

Late Tuesday night, Shaw's, Maguire's, and Lisandro Martinez's contracts all entered their final year; Manchester United holds one-year extension options for Maguire and Martinez. Luke Shaw will turn 31 next weekend, and the club will resolve his future before year's end. De Ligt's contract runs until 2029, but the Dutch defender has been absent since late November following back surgery and has yet to return. Bruno Fernandes is also in the final year of his deal, and the club holds an option to extend by one year until 2028, with contract extension negotiations expected to begin in the coming months.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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