Manchester United are two signings away from a successful summer transfer window, with 18 days remaining before the Premier League deadline. The club have made three first-team signings so far—Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow—but need to add another midfielder and ideally a left-back to strengthen Michael Carrick's squad.
Disciplined approach and missed targets
United have not been prepared to pay top dollar for their targets, a stance that Omar Berrada had signalled before the window. Targets have slipped away, with Elliot Anderson joining Manchester City and Mateus Fernandes moving to Tottenham. United signed Santos and Tielemans for the same price Spurs paid for Fernandes, which is considered good business, but such alternative deals are not always possible.
The Reds paid £85m combined for Santos and Tielemans, while Darlow arrived on a free transfer. Club sources have downplayed United's spending ability, but financial figures from May indicated that up to £300m could theoretically be spent. Three repayments worth £110m had been made to the club's revolving credit facility, boosting headroom.
Priorities and remaining needs
The Manchester Evening News reported that United had set priorities: overhauling the midfield, strengthening the left wing and signing a left-back. The midfield is close to being overhauled, and the left wing has been strengthened by Marcus Rashford's return, provided he stays. The left-back signing remains outstanding.
United need a more defensive-minded midfielder to protect the back four, despite Santos's preference for a No.6 role. The left-back market is limited, with Lewis Hall a dream target but Newcastle unwilling to sell. Jorge Salinas of Racing de Santander has emerged as an alternative, with a reported €16m (£13.7m) release clause.
Financial room to act
Adding Salinas would take United's spend to just under £100m, leaving around £80m for a third midfielder—still £35m less than last summer's outlay. The club have no excuse not to spend in the remaining 18 days.
