Manchester United are preparing for a comprehensive summer overhaul of their struggling midfield, with manager Ruben Amorim acknowledging the current setup cannot compete at the highest level long-term.
The Current Midfield Situation
Despite some recent positive performances, Amorim recognises he is merely papering over the cracks in a crucial area where matches are won and lost. While Bruno Fernandes remains the team's influential mainstay and veteran Casemiro has shown renewed form approaching 34, other components have failed to meet expectations.
Portuguese coach Amorim, who followed United's fortunes since childhood, understands the club's historic success was built on legendary midfield units like the Keane-Butt-Scholes-Beckham combination that delivered the 1999 Treble.
Summer Transfer Targets Identified
United's recruitment team, led by director of football Jason Wilcox, has compiled an ambitious list of targets to inject youth, energy and class into the engine room. Brighton's Carlos Baleba stands out as a primary objective, with United having made tentative enquiries six months ago about the £115m-rated midfielder.
Other names on the radar include England international Adam Wharton, Wolves star Joao Gomes and VFB Stuttgart's emerging talent Angelo Stiller. These players represent the profile Amorim believes can restore United's midfield to its former glory.
Funding the Revolution
The financial blueprint for this transformation relies heavily on significant savings from player departures. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made balancing the books a priority since his INEOS group took a stake in the club 18 months ago.
Four high-earning players are set to facilitate the rebuild: Jadon Sancho will leave on a free transfer when his contract expires, while Casemiro and Harry Maguire must accept substantially reduced terms if they wish to remain. There is also growing confidence that Marcus Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary will be removed through a permanent move to Barcelona.
Collectively, these departures would free up approximately £1 million per week in wages, creating both financial flexibility and transfer funds to pursue Amorim's primary targets.
The summer window represents the next phase of United's strategic rebuild, following last year's focus on addressing attacking deficiencies. With Amorim and Wilcox working in tandem, Old Trafford anticipates a midfield transformation that could define the club's prospects for seasons to come.
