Manchester United’s latest transfers: Three potential targets to join Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans in the midfield.

Manchester United enjoyed a successful second half of the 2025-26 season after the appointment of Michael Carrick in January, finishing third in the Premier League and returning to the Champions League.

After finishing their campaign strongly, Carrick’s side went into the summer transfer window with a clear objective – to renew and rebuild their midfield department.

After being linked with a number of midfielders, the Red Devils confirmed their first arrival of the window this week as Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea, with a second signing set to be completed in the coming days.

It has been reported that Youri Tielemans will follow the Brazilian out the door at Old Trafford after Man Utd activated the Belgian’s release clause at Aston Villa, meaning he will become their second midfielder signing of the window.

Those two additions significantly strengthen and transform Manchester United’s midfield profile, with Santos bringing intensity and resilience on and off the pitch and Tielemans adding experience, composure and elite passing range to a department that already includes the talented Kobbie Mainoo.

However, with Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte sidelined with a long-term injury, the Red Devils are still missing one key central midfield profile – a ball-winner who can break up play, provide defensive cover and also cover a lot of space.

With that in mind, Sports mole looks at three players who could complete Manchester United’s new stadium.

Scott has been heavily linked with a move away from Bournemouth throughout the summer, with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United all reported to be monitoring the midfielder.

While Scott may not be a ball-winning and controlling midfielder, the 22-year-old was one of the standout players in the Cherries side last season – and his improved off-field work has been very evident.

In the 2025-26 Premier League season, Scott registered 12.2 defensive contributions, 6.14 recoveries and 2.55 clearances per 90 minutes – ranking in the top 16% of players in his position.

In addition, Scott’s ability to get the ball under pressure and quickly overtake his opponents with his amazing strike – ranked in the 14% of the best midfielders for driving successful balls in 90 last season (0.91) – and combining with his teammates and continuous attacks, can give Man Utd important solutions to have the ball.

Therefore, besides providing a level of defensive work, Scott will provide incredible control and technical ability, allowing Carrick to organize the management and dictate the tempo of the games.

The midfielder’s deal is unlikely to come cheap, with a reported £80m fee, but Manchester United will certainly reap the rewards of adding Scott to their ranks.

© Imago Images / Pro Sports

Unlike Scott, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Baleba is at the center of a typical ball-winning and controlling midfielder.

Baleba emerged as one of the most promising midfielders in the Premier League during the 2024-25 campaign, attracting the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.

Man Utd, coincidentally, were one of those teams, with the Red Devils reportedly interested in signing Baleba late last summer before Brighton’s £100m bid was blocked.

The Cameroon international’s performances have fallen off in a turbulent 2025-26 season, leading Brighton to drop their interest, and Man Utd may be tempted to go back to sign Baleba this summer.

Apart from being a powerful runner and boasting great strength in duels, Baleba is also able to drive forward runs and pick up passes with his excellent left foot.

Baleba’s defensive qualities will also allow the likes of Tielemans and Mainoo to push forward, providing great artistic support to the likes of Bruno Fernandes.

Still only 22-years-old and boasting huge potential, Baleba is certainly a potential signing for Manchester United.

Manu Kone (Roma)

© Imago / Nicolo Campo

Finally, Kone from Roma is another player who could be perfect as Manchester United’s last option.

Kone was linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs before his surprise move to Roma in 2024, and the Frenchman is back on the radar of Europe’s top clubs this summer.

As well as adding much-needed physicality to Man Utd’s engine room, Kone will also provide more height in midfield – standing at 185cm tall – and a clear power to possess.

Kone boasts the technical quality to drive the ball forward thanks to his fine dribbling and passing, while also being able to sit back and act as a key defensive midfielder.

That was particularly evident during the 2026 World Cup, when Kone sat a little deeper in France than his usual Roma position, while still showing his ability to go forward at times.

Interestingly, Kone has often acted as Aurelien Tchouameni’s back-up during the World Cup – including filling in for Tchouameni through injury in recent games – and the Real Madrid man was linked with Manchester United earlier in the window, highlighting their desire to have a similar profile.

Such a switch would be good for Carrick, allowing the manager to hand Kone defensive duties against stronger opponents and giving him greater license to roam against teams who may be in the lower blocks.