ESPN reports that this summer, Manchester United is simultaneously rebuilding the team's future and attempting to avoid repeating past mistakes. Numerous missteps in the transfer market have largely shaped the club's logic for this summer's transfer window. The overarching goal is to drive squad renewal while avoiding the mistakes of the past that have hampered the team.

Some fans may argue that in an environment where many top clubs are spending over £100 million on a single player, Manchester United's reluctance to spend heavily reflects a lack of ambition. However, Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada and Football Director Jason Wilcox have stated that a degree of caution is necessary given lessons from the past.

Why? Compared to most clubs, Manchester United finds it far more difficult to sell underperforming players.

Ugarte is a prime example. The Uruguayan midfielder joined Old Trafford for over £50 million in 2024, had two underwhelming seasons, and has been put up for sale this summer. The club knows that to balance the books, they need an offer of at least £20 million, but given his recent form and wage demands, achieving this target seems unlikely.

The best Manchester United can hope for is finding a club willing to cover his entire salary on a loan deal. However, a serious knee injury sustained at the World Cup has effectively ruled out any departure. FIFA's club protection program will cover Ugarte's wages while he recovers.

But the injury merely delays the problem. Ugarte's contract runs until June 2029, meaning Manchester United will still need to find a solution for him next summer or even later.

The Ugarte issue could haunt the club for another three years—a situation that Berrada and Wilcox are desperately trying to avoid.

Midfield Overhaul

After completing a strikeforce overhaul last year, Manchester United's focus this summer was strengthening the midfield.

Manchester United recruited three experienced Premier League players: André Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Moisés Caicedo, with a combined investment of £155 million. According to ESPN sources, relative to market value, these three deals offered excellent value and manageable risk. The total cost for three midfield targets—Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Enzo Fernández—came to £341 million.

Manchester United initially showed interest in Anderson but was only willing to meet Nottingham Forest's initial valuation of £70 million. The club also tracked Tonali, but given his betting violation history and suspension, they deemed a major investment too risky.

Budget was also a significant constraint, particularly as the club struggled to move surplus players. Manchester City generated nearly £350 million in player sales this summer, while Manchester United has earned less than £50 million.

Initially, Barcelona was expected to trigger a loan-with-obligation-to-buy clause for Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee was also expected to generate transfer revenue. However, Barcelona opted to sign Anthony Gordon instead to fill the winger position. Manchester United's negotiations with several clubs over a Zirkzee transfer fell through, and fresh offers only emerged on the final day of the window, but by then it was too late.

The club's financial situation means they cannot spend £300-400 million in a single transfer window. Manchester United could have met Tottenham's £85 million offer for Matheus Fernandes, a key midfield target for United. However, the club ultimately decided against it, partly because Fernandes never expressed a desire to join Old Trafford during negotiations—a red flag they could not ignore.

Berrada and Wilcox place significant emphasis on a player's willingness to join, as evidenced by signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Last summer, they achieved their desired targets, but this year they needed to adjust plans flexibly.

After the Ederson deal fell through due to medical issues, Manchester United accelerated negotiations with Chelsea over Santos. After abandoning the pursuit of Fernandes, the club quickly activated Tielemans's £35 million release clause.

After signing Tielemans, the club pursued Lewis-Skelly. Once it became clear he would stay at Arsenal, Manchester United turned attention to Alexis Mac Allister. Brighton initially demanded £120 million but eventually negotiated down to £70 million.

The transfer process faced other obstacles as well.

Manchester United continued to monitor Ismael Benítez, with data analysis showing his previous season's performance matched Fernandes during his West Ham spell. However, there is now a trend of agents preferring to send their players to mid-table Premier League clubs. Players can gain regular playing time and subsequently move to a top-six club later with higher transfer fees and wages.

Caicedo followed this path, joining Chelsea for £115 million after a full season at a mid-table club. Benítez and his team chose to move to another mid-table club this summer for around £40 million. If he performs well this season, his transfer value and wage expectations will increase significantly by 2027.

No Need to Be "Transfer Window Winners"

ESPN sources reveal that Manchester United's top priority for next summer is a defensive overhaul.

Berrada and Wilcox are satisfied with the signings of Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko, and Senne Lammers last year. Avoiding major mistakes in last summer's transfer window allowed the team to prioritize midfield reinforcements as planned. If this summer's transfer window also avoids errors, the club can free up funds to sign centre-backs and full-backs before the 2027-28 season.

Internally, the club calls this approach "building foundations": gradually refining the squad without repeating avoidable mistakes.

Sources indicate Manchester United is aware that with the transfer window closing on Tuesday, the team has yet to address the left-back shortage. David Raum was informed he could leave this summer, and Manchester United had an opportunity to sign the 28-year-old for around £30 million, requiring a long-term contract of four to five years. However, the club believed this signing would disrupt the next phase of their transfer plan and thus passed.

Lewis Hall was the top target for left-back, but Newcastle refused to negotiate, so the deal was postponed until next year. Had Hall been prioritized this summer, there would have been no budget for a defensive reinforcement.

Manchester United also considered short-term solutions to fill positional gaps. In the final week of the transfer window, Rayan Aït-Nouri's agent proactively offered him to Manchester United; on the final day, Manchester City made clear any deal must include a mandatory purchase clause. Upon learning of the long-term commitment required, Manchester United withdrew from negotiations.

The club understands the current situation is not perfect, but their goal is not to "win" a single transfer window—it is to create conditions for success in signing desired targets next summer. Manchester United hopes this long-term strategy will ultimately prove effective.

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