Manchester United will send fewer representatives than usual to the 2026 World Cup in North America. Several members of the squad will spend the summer recovering and preparing for the 2025/26 campaign rather than competing at the tournament. Some players simply did not make their national squads, while others will miss out because their countries failed to qualify.

Patrick Dorgu is among those who will be absent from the finals. He was unavailable for Denmark during its critical European playoff clashes with North Macedonia and Czechia due to injury. The match against Czechia ended in misery for Denmark as missed penalties in the shootout—including one skewed by Rasmus Højlund, still technically a United striker—proved costly at the end of a 2–2 draw after extra time. Denmark failed to progress and will miss only its third World Cup of the century. That outcome is disappointing for Dorgu but offers Manchester United the chance to reintroduce the versatile full back gradually once he is fit.

Bryan Mbeumo enjoyed a fine debut season at Old Trafford, but his summer prospects were affected by international disappointment. The 26-year-old had hoped to represent Cameroon at his second World Cup, yet a disappointing qualification campaign leaves him with an empty summer. Cameroon finished second in qualifying, dropping into the CAF playoffs where a win would have delivered a place in the inter-confederation playoffs. Instead, defeat to DR Congo on penalties in the semifinal ended Cameroon’s hopes of reaching North America. Mbeumo will now wait until 2030 for another chance to play at the World Cup.

Benjamin Šeško has seen his slow start at Old Trafford transform since the turn of the year. The towering striker has been in excellent form for his new club, producing a string of crucial goals for interim manager Michael Carrick as United pursue Champions League qualification. His club form means the focus for Šeško this summer will be on maintaining momentum with Manchester United rather than international action at the World Cup.

Joshua Zirkzee has reportedly changed course and is now reluctant to leave Manchester United, convinced his opportunities will grow once European football returns next season. The 24-year-old was previously linked with a departure, with a move back to Serie A after a productive spell at Bologna thought to be possible as he sought World Cup preparation.

That route has lost urgency. With less than three months until the World Cup and no national team call-up for 18 months — his last selection came in November 2024 — leaving to chase tournament minutes no longer holds the same appeal.

According to the Daily Mail, Zirkzee is “eager to stay” and is “determined” to remain at the club. Those statements do not guarantee his future at Old Trafford, but they underline the player’s preference to fight for a place rather than seek an exit. United are expected to prioritise transfers in other areas of the squad, which should limit extra competition for forward positions.

If the club chooses to move Zirkzee on, signing a replacement would be necessary, making any departure a decision taken by the club rather than the player.

United will complete the 2025–26 campaign having played only 40 matches, the fewest fixtures in a season for the club since 1914–15. A top-five finish in the Premier League and likely qualification for the Champions League will increase the fixture list significantly. Entry to the Champions League would add a minimum of eight matches, with progression beyond the league phase — requiring a top-24 finish — bringing at least one knockout tie.

Further progress in domestic cups would increase those demands. Additional rounds in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup could add a further five or six matches, creating a clear need for greater squad depth. A player who performed well in Italy could be well suited to the European schedule.

Perhaps reflecting that belief, Zirkzee has also expressed his strong feelings for Old Trafford, which he says doesn’t compare to any other stadium.

The early summer window is shaping up with a series of concrete approaches and long-term targets across Europe and the Premier League.

Manchester United are prepared to offer Robert Lewandowski a one-year contract as his future with Barcelona remains undecided (Source: SportsBoom). United are also linked with Borussia Dortmund centre back Waldemar Anton, with Aston Villa reported to have interest as well (Source: Sky Sport Deutschland). If United secure Champions League football, Old Trafford would become Sandro Tonali’s preferred destination and he would be prepared to turn down Arsenal (Source: Football FanCast).

Arsenal face uncertainty over Gabriel Jesus. He hopes to remain with Arsenal this summer but, if the club decide to offload him, he will look to seal a switch to another Premier League side (Source: Bruno Andrade). Arsenal are also named among clubs ready to rival Liverpool and Chelsea for Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler should he be made available (Source: TEAMtalk).

Chelsea remain active in midfield recruitment. Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to offer around $115 million to sign Cole Palmer from Chelsea, with Chelsea’s asking price said to be significantly higher (Source: Fichajes). Chelsea’s top target in midfield is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton (Source: Si Phillips). João Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers is another midfielder of interest to Chelsea, who have joined Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham and Napoli in pursuit (Source: CaughtOffside).

Tottenham Hotspur are linked with a triple swoop on Galatasaray for goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, winger Barış Alper Yılmaz and midfielder Gabriel Sara (Source: Turkish-Football). Newcastle could lose right back Tino Livramento amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester City; teammate Lewis Hall hopes to remain at St James’ Park (Source: Football Insider).

Elsewhere, West Ham United submitted bids for Fluminense midfielder Martinelli that fell short of the $23 million asking price (Source: O Dia). Mohamed Salah would be interested in joining Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires, but Real have no desire to make an offer (Source: Defensa Central). Barcelona are reportedly not interested in Bernardo Silva due to age and recent form concerns (Source: Mundo Deportivo).

On defensive targets, Atlético Madrid consider Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella but have begun to look at Maxi Araujo and Carlos Romero after Chelsea refused to sell (Source: AS). Marcus Rashford has halved his salary expectation for Barcelona and is willing to accept deferals, but his permanent signing could still strain Barcelona’s wage cap (Source: SPORT).