With the transfer window fast approaching, we’re examining what could represent the ideal start to the summer for Manchester United

After ending the 2025/26 Premier League season on a high, Manchester United will be eager to carry that momentum into what promises to be a crucial summer transfer window.

Having prioritised reinforcements in attack and defence over the past two years, United’s attention is now expected to pivot towards midfield. Several additions are expected to be made, especially with stalwart Casemiro leaving the club after his Old Trafford farewell.

Replacing the Brazilian will be no easy feat but United may already have an ideal like-for-like successor in sight – and for a reasonable price too. Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a closer look at the player who should become United’s first signing of the window.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Ederson (no, not that one) has emerged as a top target for the Reds, who have made signing a combative central midfielder their No. 1 transfer priority. The Atalanta star, 26, has been turning heads in Serie A this season, helping his side secure a seventh-placed finish in the league.

The Italian club reportedly value him at around £38.3million, a fee United are more than prepared to pay. It’s also understood that the player has not only reached a verbal agreement with Michael Carrick’s side but that he has ‘paused’ transfer talks with other clubs in a bid to secure a move to Manchester.

Atalanta boss Raffaele Palladino recently provided an update on Ederson’s future after the midfielder was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on Friday night.

Palladino said: “Ederson out? It was a decision we agreed with the boy because there’s something going on in the transfer market.

“The fact that such a player is being followed by such a big club should be a source of pride.”

Ederson isn’t the only central midfielder on United’s radar, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson also a prime target. However, with Forest expected to demand upwards of £100m for the England international – and with City also closely monitoring his situation – any potential deal is likely to prove both expensive and difficult to complete.

For those unfamiliar with him, Ederson is primarily a ball-winning midfielder but has the athleticism and technical quality to operate in a box-to-box role. He reads the game exceptionally well, consistently racking up impressive tackle and recovery numbers by stepping in to choke opposition transitions before they can properly form.

His relentless energy and upper-body strength make him difficult to shrug off in midfield battles, while his first instinct after regaining possession is almost always to drive forward and launch attacks.

Many have drawn comparisons between Ederson and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, while others see elements of both Casemiro and former United favourite Ander Herrera. Either way, signing a player of Ederson’s profile – particularly for such a modest fee – would represent an excellent start to the summer transfer window for Manchester United.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Advertisement

Manchester United round-up as preparations for Michael Carrick’s first pre-season intensify

Manchester United can now concentrate fully on next season following Michael Carrick’s appointment as permanent manager.

The former midfielder has been handed a two-year contract after steering United to a creditable third-place finish and, crucially, securing Champions League football. Carrick faces a substantial workload this summer as he attempts to mould the squad in line with his vision.

Bolstering the team is essential if United are to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City next term, while departures will be required too. The midfield is a glaring area requiring reinforcement, particularly with Casemiro departing, while Manuel Ugarte could follow him out of the club. As the summer overhaul begins, here’s a round-up of the latest United news…

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

‘Agent Fernandes’

A fascinating interaction that hints at potential future developments has come to light. After the final whistle at Brighton, Bruno Fernandes was seen engaged in a lengthy discussion with Carlos Baleba, the midfielder who has been strongly linked with United.

Initially, Fernandes simply placed his arm around the Cameroonian and appeared ready to move on. But he then returned for an extended chat with Baleba, sparking curiosity amongst United supporters.

Some suggested it appeared like “more than just a handshake,” while others labelled him “agent Fernandes.” Baleba was eager to secure a switch to Old Trafford last summer, but Brighton’s £100million asking price was a stumbling block.

Since then, Baleba has struggled for form, with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledging that speculation linking him with a move to United had adversely affected him. He could now be obtained for a cut-price fee.

The 22-year-old was also seen conversing with United players in the tunnel following the match, including Joshua Zirkzee, while he called out to Patrick Dorgu, who was conducting an interview.

At the end of Dorgu’s discussion with reporters, he was questioned about Baleba shouting his name and whether he would relish playing alongside him at United next season. He grinned and responded: “No comment!”

Ugarte addresses future

Baleba could feasibly take Ugarte’s place, with United willing to offload the midfielder this summer. The Uruguayan’s transfer to Old Trafford hasn’t panned out as hoped and now would be an ideal moment for United to cut their losses.

Ugarte told journalists upon returning to his homeland ahead of the World Cup: “This year wasn’t the best at Manchester United.”

Regarding what lies ahead, the 25-year-old confessed he was “open to whatever comes.” He said: “I’m not thinking about what will happen next because when you finish your career, the best thing is to play in a World Cup with your country. I want to enjoy it and push myself to the limit.

“Manchester United is one of the best clubs in the world. The World Cup is going to be crucial in determining everything. I’m open to whatever comes.

“This year wasn’t great in every sense, but I learned a lot mentally. I was surrounded by good people, and I’m trying to take the positives from it. We’ll see what happens at the World Cup. Whatever happens, I think it will be good.”

Get Man United’s new 2026/27 home kit

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£85

Fanatics

Buy Now on Fanatics

Manchester United have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27 season, inspired by the club’s heritage and featuring a classic polo collar with iconic adidas details.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence declined slightly this month as gas prices stayed high and inflation remained elevated, a sharp contrast to soaring stock prices hover near record levels.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index slipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, the first decline after three months of gains. The measure hasn’t fallen as much this year as other gauges of consumer attitudes, but it has been stuck at a low level since the pandemic. Before COVID-19, it regularly reached 130.

A separate gauge of consumer sentiment released last week by the University of Michigan fell to a record low this month. Soaring gas and food costs have worsened inflation that is outpacing the average growth in paychecks, reducing most Americans’ purchasing power. Americans have soured on President Trump’s economic policies, polls show, potentially creating problems for Republicans heading into the midterm elections.

Consumer sentiment is mostly gloomy even as the economy is still growing and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Some economists argue that the gap reflects inequality in a “K-shaped” economy, with higher-income Americans benefitting from rising stock prices and still spending while lower-income households struggle.

Tuesday’s consumer confidence survey showed that confidence grew among households with incomes at or above $100,000, while it fell for most others.

“The prospect of higher prices and faster inflation continues to loom over confidence readings with many households taking a more cautious approach to purchases this year,” Ben Ayers, Nationwide senior economist, said.

There were some positive signs, Ayers noted: Americans’ expectations for growth six months in the future improved, potentially a sign they expect the Iran war to be over by then.

Still, Americans’ outlook on the job market worsened slightly. The proportion of respondents who said jobs are “plentiful” dropped to 25.5%, the lowest in three years. At the same time, just 18.6% said jobs were “hard to get,” the smallest percentage since October. The findings reflect the “low-hire, low-fire” job market that has made it harder for those out of work to obtain new jobs.

Gas prices have soared to a nationwide average of $4.49 a gallon from $2.98 just before the war began at the end of February, and have been at or above $4.50 a gallon for nearly all of May.

This month, the Conference Board added special questions to its survey, which found rising prices have caused most Americans to change their spending habits. Two-thirds of respondents said they are cutting back spending in response to the increases, with most of those reducing overall purchases and delaying more expensive acquisitions.

Many consumers are also planning to economize on clothes, shoes, hobby items, and toys and games, the survey found.

Inflation jumped to 3.8% in April, the highest in three years and far above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. In addition to more expensive gas, grocery prices have also started rising more quickly, likely driven by higher shipping costs. Beef prices have also risen sharply, as drought and other factors have reduced cattle herds.

The higher prices are reducing Americans’ average inflation-adjusted incomes. Average hourly earnings, adjusted for price changes, shrank in April from a year earlier for the first time in three years.

Other data also suggests consumers have grown more cautious amid rising prices. Adjusted for inflation, retail sales actually declined in April, after a solid increase in March.

And the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index fell to a record-low 44.8 in May, its third straight decline, as a majority of respondents said rising prices were hurting their personal finances.

With heatwaves becoming hotter and more frequent, demand for air conditioning is expected to rise significantly. However, if the UK and similar countries respond to hotter summers simply by installing more AC, they risk creating a costly, energy-hungry and more unequal future. But there’s a cooler, smarter way forward.

Colleagues and I have surveyed more than 1,600 households across the UK and found that two-thirds used fans in the summer of 2022, and one in five used air conditioning. The vast majority of those AC units were bought during or after that year’s 40°C heatwave – showing how quickly habits can shift.

In our survey, 80% of UK homes reported overheating in summer 2022, four times more than a decade ago. By the end of this century, the temperature in the UK is predicted to exceed 40°C every few years. It’s no wonder that the same survey found a sevenfold increase in air conditioning in the decade prior to 2022.

Relying heavily on AC might seem like a natural adaptation, but it comes with hidden costs. Cooling requires huge amounts of energy at the exact moments when demand is already high. In 2022 and 2023, the UK had to briefly restart a coal power plant to keep the lights – and the air conditioners – on.

AC also deepens inequalities. For wealthier households, it’s a quick fix. But for others, especially lower socioeconomic groups, it’s a dangerous gap in protection.

Passive cooling first

We already have a template for tackling winter energy demand – “insulation first”. That’s because it’s a lot harder to warm a house than it is to stop heat escaping in the first place.

A similar principle applies in summer – “reduce cooling demand first”.

Hot climate countries like those in southern Europe have had lots of practice and we can learn from them. That means starting with passive cooling measures that reduce the need for mechanical cooling in the first place. These measures include:

Many of these are low-cost, quick to install and long-lasting. In Rome, for example, window shutters are so common you barely notice them, yet they dramatically reduce the need for mechanical cooling.

Once demand is lowered, remaining needs can be met by ACs or reversible heat pumps.

Public behaviour matters too

Adapting our building design is not enough. We must adapt our behaviour too.

In Spain, the hottest hours are for siestas. Outdoor activities are paused, and people are more active in the mornings and evenings. Culturally, they understand that keeping curtains closed during the day and opening windows at night can prevent homes from overheating.

In the UK, heat is still culturally framed as “good weather”. Sunny weekends trigger beach trips, barbecues and more outdoor activity, even when it’s dangerously hot. This mismatch between perception and risk is a major public health challenge.

Even as the climate warms, UK energy policy is still designed for winter, not summer. Energy efficiency programmes often overlook the risk of trapping summer heat inside well-insulated homes. The UK needs to embed overheating risk into housing policy, and needs a clear plan to decarbonise cooling alongside heating.

Public risk communication must also catch up. Early warning systems such as red, amber and yellow warnings are great start, but they’re not enough in a country where many people still see 30°C as perfect picnic weather. We need targeted campaigns to shift mindsets and encourage proactive action before the heat arrives.

The 40°C day in 2022 was a wake-up call. We can answer it with more AC – and more bills, emissions and inequality – or we can redesign our buildings, streets and routines to work with the climate not against it.

AC will still have a role during extreme heat, but it should be the last resort, not the first instinct. Reduce cooling demand first, meet the rest efficiently – and Britain can stay cool without overheating the planet.

Bellway has started work on 107 sustainable homes in Longstanton, but readers have raised concerns over energy, infrastructure, and what ‘affordable’ really means

Advertisement

Readers of CambridgeshireLive have been debating the news that work has started on housing in the region. Discussion focused on energy provision, allocation of properties, strain on local services, planning considerations, and the true meaning of “affordable”. Many highlighted modern features such as heat pumps and vehicle charging points. Others questioned whether hospitals and roads have sufficient capacity. Some debated household size and priority allocation.

A construction firm has started work on building more than 100 new sustainable properties in a Cambridgeshire village. Bellway began construction at Hatton Gate, off Station Road in Longstanton, at the beginning of May.

The scheme will comprise 107 properties ranging from one to four-bedroom homes, with 61 houses available for private purchase, 43 affordable properties, and three self-build plots. All the new properties on the site will feature air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.

More than three acres of the site will consist of green open space incorporating wildlife areas, an existing pond, and a sustainable drainage scheme. There will also be a children’s play area, cycleways, and footpaths.

One reader, Calumen Nomen said: “‘All the new homes on the site will have air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.’ Oh dear. That should be pretty hilarious when next Winter’s power cuts and black-outs start, courtesy of our 100% misdirected energy policy.”

Freddly asks: “Can we ensure these go to people who need them, not people who spent their money on the biggest SUV ambulance-blocker they could find? On the new estates near me, most households own 2 SUV ambulance-blockers, but would claim to have been impoverished by the cruel Labour government. Own your choices, stop being feeble.”

Calumen Nomen replies: “They’re hardly likely to go to people who don’t need them, are they?”

Wachoooo comments: “Families should be encouraged not to have more than 2 children. It’s also better for the environment.”

While over on our Facebook page, John M writes: “Crazy planners have no idea of impact.”

Michael H adds: “Define: ‘affordable’.”

Liz Y asks: “Is Cambridgeshire the only County in the UK. that needs thousands of houses? Why don’t they build more? London’s parks could accommodate more than a few.”

Roy S writes: “And no extra funding for Addenbrookes, all these extra homes at Camborne, Northstowe, Waterbeach, Cherry Hinton, etc, no wonder the hospital is struggling!”

Simon A K replies: “Plus more cars possibly another 200, how can adding all these cars be environmentally friendly?”

Christine H F says: “All badly built, looking the same and very expensive. Just noticed it’s Longstanton. Haven’t we got enough rubbish with Northstowe?”

Do you believe that more homes are needed in and around Cambridgeshire? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.

One person said the increase in traffic would be ‘significant’

Plans to build new flats and a shop in a Cambridgeshire suburb have been approved – despite backlash over more traffic in an already “congested” area. Back in April 2025, Jafbuild Limited submitted plans to build 14 new flats and add a shop on land off Aqua Drive in Hampton Water, Peterborough.

The flats proposed are all two-bedroom flats, with 28 car parking spaces proposed. There are also 19 allocated spaces for the shop.

Before approval, the applicant said the plans were “essential” to plans for the Hampton Water area. They also said it would provide a “much-needed convenience store and flats” to the area.

Peterborough City Council has now approved these plans. Despite the approval, the plans had 37 objections. Concerns were mainly raised about traffic in the area, with one objector describing the area as already “congested”.

One person, who lives in Aqua Drive, said the “cumulative traffic impact” would be “significant”. Another person in Broadstone Drive commented on traffic and said: “The traffic at the end of the school day is horrendous to the point where it is not even worth leaving your house to go out.

“Add more to that and mix in a few haulage trucks to service more building works for a few more years and we will have a major incident soon.”

Also concerned about traffic, a person in Banbury Drive said: “The additional traffic from this development will exacerbate existing congestion issues, particularly during peak hours. The council must assess whether the current road network can accommodate this growth without compromising safety.”

In a transport statement on behalf of the applicants, it was concluded the site was “well situated” to local amenities, and it was considered to not have “a severe residual impact on the local highway network”.

Though London and south-east England will still get temperatures up to 27C, it won’t be 28C needed to officially continue the heatwave.

However, Wales and south-western England will remain fairly hot, away from the cooler air moving in. Highs here could still reach 30C.

By Thursday, the supply of cooler air will be cut off as hot air re-surges from France once again. This means that temperatures will increase, with 30C back on the cards.

Most weather forecast models show that cooler weather will gradually come in again from Friday and into the weekend.

The jet stream, currently to the north of us, will wobble back southwards, meaning areas of low pressure, occasional rain, stronger winds and a drop in temperature as we head into the first week of June.

The Grafix Make Your Own Sand Bottle (Star & Heart) sold by Asda has been recalled because it may be contaminated with asbestos.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) said the product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

They warned that asbestos is a banned substance and poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure.

(Image: Asda/OPSS)

Anyone who has purchased the toy is being urged to stop using it immediately and dispose of it.

The OPSS said: “If the sand is still in its packaging, place in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children.

“If the sand has been used, clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.

“Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.

“Return the product to your nearest Asda store for a full refund. You do not need to provide the receipt.”

An Asda spokesman added: “Stop using the product immediately.

“RMS International are recalling the product as at the time of shipment and supply it passed the standard PLM testing, however new SEM testing has indicated that it may contain traces of asbestos.

“Asbestos fibres can present a health risk if released from the product and inhaled.

“As customer safety is our highest priority, we are undertaking this recall as a safety measure.

“For further information, please contact Asda or visit the OPSS page on asbestos in consumer products.”

The product had been sold exclusively at Asda supermarkets since August 2021.