Manchester United had the opportunity to sign RB Leipzig left-back Raum for about £30m this summer but decided that committing to a 28-year-old on a four-to-five-year contract could disrupt their wider recruitment strategy, ESPN sources say.
The club accepts that it failed to solve its left-back shortage before the transfer window closed on Tuesday. However, chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox chose to prioritise the gradual rebuilding of the squad rather than make a signing they believed could restrict future moves.
Manchester United’s approach this summer was shaped by a desire to avoid repeating previous transfer mistakes while continuing to improve the team. Although some supporters may see the club’s reluctance to spend as evidence of a lack of ambition – particularly after Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur each spent at least £100m on an individual signing – Berrada and Wilcox believe greater caution is necessary.
Manchester United argue that transfer mistakes are more difficult for them to correct than for many other clubs.
Uruguayan midfielder Ugarte illustrates the problem. He moved to Old Trafford in 2024 for more than £50m and, after two disappointing seasons, became available for transfer this summer. Manchester United knew they would need an offer of about £20m to balance the books, but that figure was considered unrealistic given his recent performances and wage demands.
The club’s most practical option was a loan deal with another side covering Ugarte’s wages. That possibility disappeared after he suffered a serious knee injury at the Copa America. Manchester United will receive compensation for his wages through the FIFA Club Protection Programme because the injury occurred while he was on international duty.
The injury has not removed the underlying issue. Ugarte’s contract runs until June 2029, so the club will still have to find a solution next summer or later. Berrada and Wilcox are determined to avoid situations that can remain unresolved for several years.
Midfield was the priority
After reshaping the forward line last summer, Manchester United made midfield their main area for investment this time.
They signed Santos, Tielemans and Baleba, all of whom have Premier League experience, for a combined £155m. ESPN sources say the deals are regarded internally as relatively good value and lower risk in a market where midfielders continue to command substantial fees.
By comparison, Manchester City’s purchase of Elliot Anderson, Tottenham Hotspur’s signing of Tonali and Chelsea’s deal for Enzo Fernandez cost £341m in total.
Manchester United had shown interest in Anderson but accepted Nottingham Forest’s initial valuation of £70m. They also monitored Tonali but decided that paying a large fee for a player who had recently served a lengthy ban for gambling violations involved too much risk.
The club’s limited sales income also influenced its decisions. Manchester City have generated almost £350m from player departures this summer, whereas Manchester United’s income from sales remains below £50m.
The initial expectation was that Barcelona would activate Rashford’s buyout clause, allowing Manchester United to use that money to sign Zirkzee. Instead, Barcelona chose Anthony Gordon for the wide position. Manchester United held discussions with Fiorentina and Juventus about the Dutch forward, but neither move developed. When Everton made contact later on deadline day, there was no longer enough time to complete a deal.
Manchester United did have the funds to match Tottenham Hotspur’s £85m offer for Matheus Fernandes, who had been identified as a midfield target. The club decided against proceeding in part because Fernandes had not indicated during negotiations that he wanted to move to Old Trafford. That was viewed as a warning sign.
Berrada and Wilcox have repeatedly said they want to recruit players who clearly want to play for Manchester United, as Cunha and Mbeumo did. The club secured its preferred targets last summer, but this window required more flexibility.
When a proposed deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson collapsed over medical concerns, Manchester United moved quickly to complete the signing of Santos from Chelsea. After abandoning their pursuit of Fernandes, they activated Tielemans’s £35m release clause.
The club then pushed for Scalvini, but Atalanta decided to keep the player. Manchester United subsequently switched their attention to Baleba, negotiating Brighton’s initial £120m valuation down to £70m.
No need to “win the window”
Manchester United also examined Mamadou Sangare. Data analysis showed that his numbers for Lens last season were comparable to those produced by Matheus Fernandes at West Ham.
However, the club believes agents are increasingly encouraging players to join mid-table Premier League teams before moving to a top-six side. The extra playing time can increase both a player’s eventual transfer fee and salary expectations.
Caicedo is viewed as an example of that route. He joined Chelsea for £115m after completing a full season at Brighton and Hove Albion. Sangare and his representatives instead chose Brentford, who paid about £40m this summer. A successful campaign could significantly increase Sangare’s transfer value and wage demands by 2027.
ESPN sources say defence will be Manchester United’s principal priority next summer.
Berrada and Wilcox remain satisfied with the recruitment of Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko and Lamela. Avoiding mistakes in last summer’s window allowed the club to focus on midfield this year, while continuing to make sound decisions should leave money available for centre-backs and full-backs before the 2027-28 season.
The phrase “building blocks” is commonly used within the club to describe its approach: improve the squad step by step while avoiding the creation of new problems or leaving previous ones unresolved.
Lewis Hall was Manchester United’s leading target at left-back, but Newcastle United were unwilling to negotiate. A deal will therefore not be possible until next year. Prioritising Hall this summer would probably have prevented the club from funding the Baleba transfer.
Manchester United also considered temporary solutions. Ait-Nouri’s agent offered the player to the club during the final week of the window. On deadline day, Manchester United were told that any agreement would have to include a mandatory buyout clause. The club ended its interest after concluding that the arrangement would still represent a long-term commitment.
Manchester United accept the outcome is not perfect, but their objective is not simply to “win the window”. Instead, they want to put themselves in a stronger position to sign their preferred players next summer.
The club hopes that this long-term strategy will ultimately deliver a more balanced squad.
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