Manchester United’s summer transfer window is threatening to become a saga of missed targets and stalled moves. For the second time in a week, the club have been outmanoeuvred in their pursuit of a midfielder – this time by Tottenham, who agreed an £85m deal with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes after United felt pushed into a bidding war they were unwilling to escalate. Just days earlier, Manchester City had smashed their own club record with a £116m deal for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, United’s first-choice midfield target whom they refused to chase above £120m.
United sources insist they are taking a responsible approach, refusing to overpay in a market where rivals are willing to go higher. But the consequence is that, as July begins, no new players have arrived at Old Trafford. Out-of-contract figures such as Casemiro and Jadon Sancho have left, while Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana – who spent last season elsewhere – are now back in the squad. The only confirmed departure of note is Rasmus Hojlund, whose £38m exit to Napoli was sealed in May.
“Manchester United have missed out on two midfield targets and are yet to make a signing this summer, with Ederson's move delayed by the World Cup.”
One deal is close: Brazilian midfielder Ederson has agreed a £35m move from Atalanta. But his late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad in the United States has delayed the medical until Carlo Ancelotti’s side exit the competition – they face Norway in the last 16 on 5 July – after which Ederson will take a mandatory three-week break. United want at least one, and possibly two, more midfielders, but after losing Fernandes they are “assessing the situation”, according to sources. Linked names include Bournemouth’s Alex Scott – though Arsenal have been told he is not for sale – and fellow Cherries midfielder Tyler Adams, as well as Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and former Manchester City academy product Felix Nmecha, who is well known to United’s director of football Jason Wilcox. Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni continues to be monitored, but the feeling is he will stay at the Bernabéu.
Michael Carrick, now in charge at United, also needs to strengthen his wide options. Marcus Rashford’s future remains unresolved after Barcelona decided not to make his loan move permanent, despite the forward scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists for the Spanish side. “I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup, I wanted it done before,” Rashford said. “If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment.” He was named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad and is set to return to United for pre-season after the World Cup.
West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville has emerged as United’s “number one target” on the left flank, according to reports. The 24-year-old impressed for the relegated Hammers and at the World Cup, scoring twice and providing two assists before the Netherlands lost to Morocco on penalties in the round of 32. United have held exploratory talks with West Ham, and Summerville, previously valued at £50m, can now focus on his future after his international exit. But competition from other Premier League clubs means Carrick’s rebuilding job remains far from straightforward.