Manchester United have moved away from reports linking them to former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, with sources indicating the club will not pursue a short-term signing of the free agent this January. A handful of clubs have been named as suitors in Spanish reports, but United’s internal shift in policy has reduced appetite for high-profile, senior additions on large wages.

ESPN, however, insist that is not the case and United have “no interest” in striking a deal for Ramos this winter.

Ramos’s record is noted and respected: five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, two Ligue 1 triumphs, two European Championships and one World Cup. Still, United’s recent transfer posture contrasts with earlier tendencies to recruit established stars on significant contracts, a route they followed when pursuing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 and when signing Casemiro the following year.

The club has confirmed the club’s highest debt levels in history, a financial context that has prompted a more measured strategy. Rather than chase stop-gap solutions, United plan to prioritise primary targets and to avoid overextending in a January window that is often costly and restrictive.

Big-money options remain possible, but only if the right players become available mid-season. Manager Ruben Amorim has openly requested a new midfielder and wing back, but the club understands winter dealings will be difficult. Candidates such as Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson are identified as expensive midfield targets and are expected to be too costly for a mid-season move.

In short, links to Ramos appear to reflect external speculation more than United’s plans. The club will concentrate resources on longer-term objectives and will only pursue expensive additions when circumstances and availability align with that revised strategy.

After a season of inconsistent displays and over £200 million ($268.4 million) spent, Manchester United entered the current campaign without a clear successor in midfield. Manuel Ugarte continues to struggle at Old Trafford, while Kobbie Mainoo has been largely ignored by Ruben Amorim and appears destined for a loan exit. Casemiro’s resurgence has stabilised the engine room alongside Bruno Fernandes, but United still need an energetic midfielder with expert defensive instincts and are keeping a lengthy shortlist.

Matheus Cunha (Age: 24, Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers)
United successfully poached Wolverhampton Wanderers’ prized asset over the summer, Matheus Cunha, but the wider Wolves context offers little encouragement. As things stand, Wolves remain winless in the top flight and United just fired four past them. Cunha’s arrival demonstrates United will look at Premier League options, though a move to Old Trafford could prove a step too great.

André (Age: 24, Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers)
André, plucked from Fluminense in the summer of 2024, impressed at Molineux. FBref ranked him in the 99th percentile for pass completion among Premier League midfielders last season, and in the 89th and 97th percentiles for attempted tackles and recoveries respectively. His energy and experience against top sides are positives, but questions remain over the size of the step to United.

João Gomes (Age: 24, Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Gomes has worked into the Brazil squad and is noted for tenacity and tough tackling. He would represent a cost-effective Premier League option, particularly if Wolves’ struggles persist.

Adam Wharton (Age: 21, Club: Crystal Palace)
Wharton rose rapidly from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 to a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad. He is a composed passer and creator, likened to Paul Scholes, but is not a like-for-like defensive replacement for Casemiro and could command a fee in excess of £100 million.

Angelo Stiller, Elliot Anderson, Conor Gallagher and Éderson also feature on United’s list, each offering distinct profiles. Stiller and Wharton bring passing and ball progression; Anderson offers positional intelligence and versatility; Gallagher provides industry and Premier League experience; Éderson contributes defensive work and suitability to a two-man midfield. United must weigh immediate defensive bite against long-term potential when selecting a successor.

José Mourinho used a post-match press conference to remind a room full of reporters of a decision he made while at Manchester United and to celebrate a former player who has since flourished in Italy. After Benfica’s 2–0 Champions League victory over Napoli this week, the Portuguese coach entered the room carrying a bag. When asked what it contained he replied, “It’s Scott McTominay’s shirt.”

Mourinho leaned into the moment with some context from his United days. “I put him in, I benched Paul Pogba for him at Manchester United . The least he could do was give me his shirt.” The line referred back to McTominay’s first appearances for United in 2017.

McTominay made his debut in a Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford in May 2017, coming on as a late substitute for Juan Mata in a 2–0 defeat. On the final day of that season he was given his first senior start in central midfield alongside Paul Pogba, with Mourinho rotating the side heavily ahead of the Europa League final three days later. Young colleagues who featured in that rotated line-up included Josh Harrop, Demetri Mitchell, Joel Castro Pereira, Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

The Scotland international went on to make 255 appearances for Manchester United before his permanent move to Napoli in 2024. Since arriving in Italy he has increased his goalscoring output, registering 14 Serie A goals in less than one-and-a-half seasons, a tally the draft notes is five short of his entire Premier League total over seven years. He is also the reigning Serie A Footballer of the Year after playing a part in Napoli’s title win.

McTominay’s international story was also recounted. Born and raised in England to a Scottish father, he was eligible for both nations. As a first-team player at United he was on England’s radar despite never representing the Three Lions at junior level. Alex McLeish credits Mourinho with alerting him that the player was likely to opt for Scotland. “I rang José that morning,” McLeish recounted recently . “‘Come here for 12, let’s have lunch and a chat about Scott and then we’ll get him in the room.’ He couldn’t have been more accommodating,” the ex-Scotland boss continued. “I’d sensed Scott was keen, but I thought he’d still take a lot of persuading. He came in and was pretty clear in his own mind that he wanted to represent Scotland.”