Manchester United have already spent £85m on two midfielders this summer and are actively pursuing a third, as manager Michael Carrick undertakes a major overhaul of the team's engine room. The club has signed Brazilian Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m and Belgian international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m, but with Casemiro departed and Manuel Ugarte sidelined by a serious knee injury, United want more reinforcements. Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as well as Fulham's Sander Berge, are on the radar.
The need for a midfield rebuild became urgent after Casemiro left and Ugarte was ruled out for what may be a prolonged period with a knee ligament injury. Under previous manager Ruben Amorim, Kobbie Mainoo had been overlooked at times, but Carrick has made him a regular starter. However, with only one specialist defensive midfielder available, the squad lacks depth. United have already signed two players, but Carrick is looking to add a third to provide balance and competition.
“Manchester United's £85m midfield overhaul explained: why Carrick is targeting Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Berge after Santos and Tielemans deals.”
For UK supporters, this is a critical window. United have historically avoided signing from direct rivals, but they have now bought from Chelsea (Santos) and Aston Villa (Tielemans). The investment signals a shift in strategy: Carrick wants a midfield that can control games, combining Tielemans' experience with Santos' progressive passing. Fans will also be watching how Mainoo fits in; Santos is seen as a more defensive-minded partner who could allow Mainoo to play further forward.
Q: Which midfielders are Manchester United targeting? United are considering Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, who has a €1bn release clause but could be sold for €50m-€60m, and Aurelien Tchouameni, whom Real Madrid are open to selling. Fulham's Sander Berge, valued at around £40m, is also on the list, along with Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Roma's Manu Koné.
Q: Why did Manchester United pay £48m for a Chelsea backup? Andrey Santos was mainly a backup for Chelsea last season, but United believe he is a well-rounded midfielder. His pass completion rate for forward passes (80%) and passes into the final third (82.2%) ranked among the best in the Premier League last season. He also offers defensive solidity and could complement Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
Q: What does this overhaul mean for Kobbie Mainoo? Mainoo has become a key player under Carrick, playing the most minutes of any United outfield player except Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw after Carrick took over. However, Mainoo has defensive weaknesses. The signing of a more defensive-minded midfielder like Santos or Tchouameni could allow Mainoo to focus on his attacking qualities while having a protective partner alongside him.
What happens next depends on Real Madrid's pursuit of Rodri. If Madrid sign Rodri from Manchester City, they may need to sell either Camavinga or Tchouameni to free up funds. United have already made an enquiry for Tchouameni and are monitoring both players. With the transfer window open until the end of August, further deals are expected as Carrick continues to reshape his squad.
