Manchester United have work to do in the summer transfer window under Michael Carrick and plans are already afoot for new additions next year
Manchester United are reportedly aiming to reshape their defence next summer. The Reds are prioritising midfield in 2026 after the departure of Casemiro and with Manuel Ugarte facing a lengthy spell out injured.
Mateus Fernandes was one player United were keen to sign from West Ham this summer, but the Portuguese has now joined Tottenham Hotspur for £85million. The Reds ultimately opted against rivalling Spurs for his signature due to the finances involved and a lack of clarity over his preferred next club.
It comes after United also missed out on England star Elliot Anderson. News of his switch to rivals Manchester City for £116m from Nottingham Forest was confirmed earlier on Thursday.
The Reds are at least close to signing one new midfielder, having already agreed a deal with Atalanta for Ederson. The Brazilian will join after a £35m initial fee, plus £3.8m in add-ons, was finalised between both clubs.
However, more midfield reinforcements will be needed at Old Trafford before United kick off their Premier League campaign away at newly-promoted Hull City on August 22.
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Left-back is also an area United are look to strengthen, but the Daily Mail claim that further changes in defence are unlikely to come until 2027.
Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez all entered the final year of their contracts at midnight on Tuesday, although United can trigger 12-month extensions for the latter two.
Shaw turns 31 at the end of next week, and a decision over his future is reportedly set to be made before the turn of the year.
Meanwhile, Matthijs De Ligt, under contract until 2029, has not played since the end of November due to a back injury that required surgery.
Reds boss Michael Carrick has already bid farewell to several players this summer as July begins. Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Sonny Aljofree, Malachi Sharpe and James Bailey have all now ended their association with United after the expiration of their contracts.
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