Manchester United hit rock bottom in 2024/25, and there’s a feeling that the most decorated English club cannot stoop any lower.
A calamitous 15th-place finish marked the Red Devils’ worst season in the Premier League era, with United winning a dismal 42 points.
Tottenham Hotspur added insult to injury, beating United in the Europa League final to deny them a chance to return to the Champions League.
With nowhere to go but up, Ruben Amorim must tread carefully in a ‘make or break’ transfer window.
Done deals
Matheus Cunha became Man Utd’s first summer signing, joining the Old Trafford outfit after a superb season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Cunha’s arrival should address United’s well-documented scoring woes, but it could also spell the end of Rasmus Hojlund’s forgettable stint in England.
In addition to the Brazilian forward, Brentford stalwart Bryan Mbeumo should soon sign a multi-year contract at the Theatre of Dreams.
According to the Evening Standard, the Red Devils have lodged an improved £60 million offer for the 25-year-old winger in a last-ditch attempt to hijack Spurs’ interest.
United will unveil Paraguayan sensation Diego Leon as their new left-back on July 1 after sealing an agreement with Cerro Porteno on a £7m basis.
However, Man Utd’s spending spree won’t end there.
Who’s on the club’s radar?
Andre Onana might be among the worst signings in United’s recent history, hence the club’s pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Despite being 32, Martinez won’t come cheap after extending his contract at Villa Park until 2029, with Unai Emery’s charges slapping a £40m price tag on the Argentine superstar.
Per The Sun, the ex-Arsenal star ‘desperately tried’ to force his move to Manchester.
Considering Dibu’s outstanding club and international form over the years, there’s no doubt he’d be an upgrade on Onana, but the Red Devils must address other more pressing matters.
With Christian Eriksen gone and Casemiro well past his prime, reinforcing a depleted midfield department could be key to unlocking Man Utd’s potential in 2025/26.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace ranks highly on the club’s wishlist, but United may need to overcome stiff competition from Real Madrid to sign the young gun.
Elsewhere, wantaway Inter Milan ace Davide Frattesi is another option, though his inconsistency at Giuseppe Meazza doesn’t make him a guaranteed upgrade or a risk-free investment.
Finally, Man Utd could sign one more attacker in the coming weeks.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has emerged as a potential target after a remarkable breakout season at Deutsche Bank Park.
Who should Man Utd target?
A lack of creativity plagued Man Utd in 2024/25, and Amorim would be well-advised to focus on strengthening his midfield options.
Wharton would be a dream signing, but if he proves hard to get, United may want to consider cheaper alternatives in Serie A.
Ederson could be a decent coup as his rise to prominence at Atalanta established him as a prototype of a modern-day midfielder.
Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the Brazilian towards the end of his Liverpool regime wasn’t random.
Only after reinforcing their engine room can the Red Devils start thinking about other areas.
At this point, signing Ekitike would be more of a luxury than a necessity.
The same goes for Martinez, though his addition would likely be far more useful.
Hail Mary
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation requires top-class wingbacks.
Despite recruiting Patrick Dorgu only six months ago, Man Utd may want to do more business in Italy.
With Theo Hernandez hellbent on leaving AC Milan, this could be a perfect market opportunity for United to sign a world-class player.
The Frenchman could be the missing ingredient on the flank and a catalyst to unlocking Amorim’s attacking blueprint at Old Trafford.