Manchester United’s midfield overhaul has been thrown into disarray after two blockbuster deals fell through, leaving Michael Carrick with only Mason Mount as a recognised senior midfielder heading into pre-season training on 9 July.
United had identified midfield as a priority after Casemiro’s contract expired on 30 June and Manuel Ugarte suffered a devastating knee injury on World Cup duty. Ugarte described it as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” – cruciate damage expected to sideline him for the rest of 2026 and rule out any chance of a sale.
“Manchester United face a midfield crisis after missing out on targets worth £201m, now eyeing Alex Scott and Andrey Santos.”
That left Kobbie Mainoo as the club’s only senior central midfielder, but United’s attempts to reinforce quickly unravelled. On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club-record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, United’s primary target. Then on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club-record £85m for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, after United pushed hard but feared a bidding war they “are keen to avoid”.
The combined £201m worth of missed targets has forced United to consider alternatives. Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, signed for £18m in 2023, is the latest player to attract interest from Old Trafford. Meanwhile, The Sun reports that United are weighing up an £80m move for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, a playmaker also linked with Arsenal and Liverpool. Bournemouth are thought to value Scott at around £80m, and if he signs a new contract, it would almost certainly include a release clause.
United have already agreed a £35m initial fee with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, but his medical is delayed until after the World Cup, with Ancelotti’s side still in the competition. Ederson will then get a minimum of three weeks off, meaning he will miss the start of pre-season.
The only midfielder likely to be available when players report back is Mount, who is viewed as more of an attacking option. Of the eight first-team midfielders listed on United’s website, Toby Collyer is wanted by Hull and Dan Gore spent last season on loan at relegated Rotherham.
With United’s first pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki scheduled for 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, Carrick faces a race against time to add bodies to a threadbare squad.