Manchester United are plotting a significant midfield revolution for the 2026 summer transfer window, with manager Ruben Amorim identifying the engine room as his top priority for reinforcement.
United's Double Midfield Target
Mirror Football understands that the Old Trafford hierarchy are preparing to sign two new central midfielders at the end of the current campaign. This strategic move signals a major overhaul of the Red Devils' options in the middle of the park.
The club's recruitment team have already identified their primary targets. United tested the waters for Brighton's Carlos Baleba, valued at around £100 million, during the August transfer window and the Cameroonian international remains firmly on their wish-list. Alongside him, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson features prominently in Amorim's plans, with the 23-year-old expected to play a key role for England in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Potential Winners from the Shake-up
Bruno Fernandes emerges as a clear beneficiary should these transfers materialise. The United captain, now 31, has been operating in a deeper role this season, limiting his trademark goal contributions. The arrival of two dedicated midfielders would allow Fernandes to return to a more advanced No. 10 position, perfectly suited to his creative strengths. This assumes, of course, that the Portuguese star remains at the club beyond his hinted post-World Cup future evaluation.
Mason Mount is another player who stands to gain. Much like Fernandes, Mount's intelligence and work rate have seen him deployed in a functional midfield role, but the signing of specialists would free him to operate higher up the pitch. With the iconic No. 7 on his back, a more attack-minded role could finally unlock the potential United saw when they signed him from Chelsea.
The ultimate winner could be manager Ruben Amorim himself. Reports have consistently indicated his desire for more athleticism in midfield, and the potential acquisitions of the 23-year-old Anderson and 21-year-old Baleba would provide exactly that. Securing two Premier League-proven players would make his midfield future-proof and put United on a clearer path toward long-term success.
Likely Losers in the New Era
The writing appears to be on the wall for Casemiro. The Brazilian, 33, is out of contract in June 2026 and United's plan to sign two replacements suggests they are ready to move on from one of their highest earners. Even if he accepts a reduced short-term deal, the new signings would drastically limit his playing time.
Kobbie Mainoo's situation looks increasingly precarious. The 20-year-old academy graduate is already out of favour under Amorim and sought a loan move last summer. The arrival of Baleba and Anderson would push him further down the pecking order, potentially forcing a permanent departure to resurrect his stalling career.
Manuel Ugarte, despite his previous success under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, has failed to adapt to the Premier League. The Uruguayan, 24, struggles for game-time and has reportedly drawn criticism from his manager for his application. He becomes a prime candidate for a January exit.
The overhaul also impacts Toby Collyer. The 21-year-old, currently on loan at West Brom, featured 13 times for United last season. His hopes of returning to fight for a starting spot would be severely dented by the double signing, presenting him with an uphill battle for first-team recognition.
A Midfield in Transition
Amorim has largely relied on the short-term solution of Casemiro and Fernandes this season, but the landscape could look dramatically different by this time next year. With Casemiro's contract expiring and Fernandes not ruling out a move, these potential transfers represent a fundamental shift in United's midfield strategy. The pursuit of Baleba and Anderson underscores a clear intent to build a younger, more dynamic engine room for the future.
