Manchester United have completed a significant £155m overhaul of their midfield this summer, securing Carlos Baleba to join new arrivals Andrey Santos, a £48m acquisition from Chelsea, and former Aston Villa player Youri Tielemans, who cost £35m. These additions, alongside England international Kobbie Mainoo, provide manager Michael Carrick with a diverse range of tactical options, with three of the four midfielders currently aged 22 or younger. Addressing the midfield was a primary objective for the club following their return to Champions League football after a two-year absence.
Despite the heavy investment, the pressure at Old Trafford remains intense. Following a surprising opening-weekend defeat to Hull, Carrick faced scrutiny regarding his squad’s commitment. During a post-match interview, TV presenter and former forward Jan Aage Fjortoft suggested that the team lacked passion. Carrick, typically composed, pushed back against the claim, stating, “Come on, that’s ridiculous. You played football. You understand. That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
With the midfield restructuring now complete, attention has shifted toward other potential squad weaknesses. A primary concern for supporters is the left-back position, particularly given that Luke Shaw started every one of the 38 Premier League matches during the 2025-26 season. As the transfer deadline approaches, the club must decide if further defensive reinforcements are necessary to support the squad throughout the upcoming campaign. The report also notes that along with England’s Kobbie Mainoo, United now have a spread of different attributes across their four-man midfield, three of whom are 22 or younger, it means that.
