Manchester United
Five Midfield Targets for Manchester United Following Ruben Amorim’s Transfer Insights
Manchester United targets five midfield talents to boost pace and creativity following Amorim’s critique.
Manchester United began their pre-season with a goalless draw against Leeds United in Sweden, a performance that left head coach Ruben Amorim concerned about the team’s midfield dynamism. Amorim highlighted a “lack of pace” in central midfield as a key issue, noting the difficulty in advancing the ball forward.
As the summer transfer window remains open, United have a chance to strengthen their midfield, potentially enhancing Amorim’s two-man system greatly. Here are five midfielders who could bolster the Red Devils’ engine room next season.
Carlos Baleba has emerged from Brighton & Hove Albion as a strong defensive midfielder with an impressive Premier League showing despite his youth. The 21-year-old Cameroon international ranked in the top 20% of Premier League midfielders for tackles in the final third, interceptions, and ball recoveries last season. Beyond his aggressive ball-winning skills, Baleba is an adept distributor with excellent close control and notable acceleration, completing 57.9% of his take-ons.
Adam Wharton has made a significant impact at Crystal Palace, quickly becoming a creative force and an England international. The 21-year-old midfielder excels in advanced passing, averaging over seven progressive passes and more than five passes into the final third per 90 minutes last season. While he still needs to improve defensively, his attacking creativity and vision could pair well with United’s younger midfielders.
Éderson of Atalanta rose in prominence through his all-action style, helping the club secure the Europa League. The Brazilian’s defensive tenacity pairs with technical prowess; he ranked in the top nine percent for progressive passes per 90 in the Champions League and in the top eleven percent for carries into the final third. His physicality and agility make him a compelling candidate for the rigors of the Premier League.
Morten Hjulmand, a former Sporting CP player coached by Amorim, has been influential for his team with seven goals and five assists over two seasons. At 26, the Denmark international combines physical strength with quick feet, a solid defensive presence, and excellent distribution skills. Hjulmand’s box-to-box qualities and familiarity with Amorim’s style could translate well to United.
João Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers is known for his relentless ball recovery and defensive work rate. The Brazilian midfielder excels in duels and tactical fouling, providing a combative presence in midfield. His partnership with fellow compatriots at Wolves suggests he would integrate effectively with United’s existing midfield options.
These five midfielders represent varied but complementary skill sets that could address United’s midfield challenges highlighted by Amorim, offering fresh energy and tactical versatility for the upcoming season.
Manchester United
Amorim Praises Manchester United’s Pre-Season Progress; Mount Targets European Return
Amorim welcomes focused pre-season as Mount targets Champions League return for Man United.
Ruben Amorim expressed satisfaction with Manchester United’s pre-season preparations as the club aims to recover from a difficult 2024–25 season. Since his arrival in early November to replace Erik ten Hag, Amorim has faced challenges implementing his tactical approach due to limited training time and ongoing midweek European fixtures. This summer, free from major international tournaments, has allowed for extensive work on the pitch. “We, as a team, need more time on the pitch, not just for the physical or tactical aspect, but the bond between [the players]. You build that during the week, with time on the [training] pitch. So, I’m really happy with that,” said Amorim.
For the first time since the 2014–15 campaign, Manchester United will not compete in European football. Mason Mount, who joined from Chelsea in 2023, underscored the importance of reclaiming a UEFA competition spot. “Europe is a massive, massive thing for us,” he said during the first pre-season tour in Chicago. “The Champions League would be amazing for us and as a group we want to be playing in that competition. But I’d say Europe. I think that’s the focus.”
Mount has battled injury setbacks since joining United, missing 23 games last season and 27 the season before. However, he returned strongly at the close of last term, making a full run of appearances in April and May. “At the end of last season, getting back and feeling really, really good, playing some games and scoring some goals was obviously very important for me,” Mount reflected. “I still want to kick on. Any time you do get that opportunity to be on the pitch, you want to do something, you want to affect the game. That’s always the way I’ve looked at it.”
Arsenal
Dominic Solanke Doubts Manchester United’s Top Four Prospects for 2025–26
Dominic Solanke predicts Manchester United will miss out on the Premier League top four in 2025–26.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has expressed skepticism over Manchester United’s chances of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League for the 2025–26 season. Speaking on DA4P’s YouTube channel, Solanke provided his predictions for the teams likely to qualify for the Champions League spots.
Solanke confidently included Tottenham first in his top-four forecast, followed by Liverpool and Manchester City. When questioned about Manchester United’s potential to challenge for a Champions League position next term, Solanke simply replied, “nah,” instead opting to include Arsenal as a contender.
This blunt verdict reflects the ongoing struggles faced by the Red Devils, who endured a difficult previous season. While Solanke’s confidence in Tottenham’s qualification might raise some eyebrows—given their 17th-place finish last season—his assessment of Manchester United aligns with widespread doubts about their immediate recovery under Ruben Amorim’s management.
Solanke’s straightforward response underlines the challenges ahead for Manchester United, suggesting the club faces another challenging campaign outside Europe’s elite competition.
Manchester United
Matheus Cunha Embraces the Challenge of His Manchester United Move
Matheus Cunha views his Man Utd transfer pressure as a privilege and embraces the challenge ahead.
Matheus Cunha, the latest Manchester United signing, has openly welcomed the pressure accompanying his high-profile transfer to Old Trafford. The Brazilian international recognizes the intense scrutiny the club attracts and views it as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Cunha expressed, “I really think the pressure on this club is not really pressure. It’s a privilege because this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
His decision to join United was motivated by the project’s appeal and the chance to be part of something significant. “When Ruben came to me and showed me the project, I felt like it’s a challenge I want to do for my career. United is a club I needed to be at, and like I say it’s a big privilege.”
The forward also highlighted United as his dream destination, having turned down multiple offers this summer to commit to the club. “It’s my dream club. This is what the question is, you know. It’s my dream club. When I had the first meeting with Ruben, I feel like they started to build something very important. And of course, I want to be part of this.”
Meanwhile, United has strengthened its roster further with the acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo. On the outgoing front, Marcus Rashford recently moved on loan to Barcelona. Other players like Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia remain available for transfer, though manager Ruben Amorim has indicated a willingness to retain them if suitable offers are not received.
