ESPN: Manchester United struggling to offload failed signings, adopts long-term transfer strategy

ESPN has reported that this summer, Manchester United is simultaneously repairing the team's future and working to avoid repeating past mistakes. Many missteps in the transfer market have largely shaped the club's approach for this summer window. The overriding goal is to systematically improve the squad while avoiding the errors that have held the team back.

Some fans might argue that in an environment where multiple elite clubs are spending over £100 million on individual signings, Manchester United's reluctance to spend heavily signals a lack of ambition. However, CEO Omar Berrada and Football Director Jason Wilcox contend that given past lessons, a measured approach is necessary.

Why? Compared to most clubs, it is harder for Manchester United to offload failed signings.

Ugarte is a prime example. This Uruguayan midfielder joined Old Trafford for over £50 million in 2024, underwhelmed, and was offered for sale this summer. The club knows they need at least a £20 million offer to break even, but given his recent performances and wage demands, that target appears unrealistic.

Manchester United's best hope is to find a club willing to cover his full wages on loan. However, he suffered a severe knee injury at the Copa América, eliminating any chance of departure this summer. The FIFA Club Protection Programme will cover Ugarte's salary during his recovery.

But the injury merely postpones the problem. With Ugarte's contract running until June 2029, Manchester United will still need to resolve his situation next summer or beyond.

The Ugarte predicament could trouble the team for another three years—precisely the scenario Berrada and Wilcox are determined to avoid.

Midfield Revamp

After overhauling the forward line last year, Manchester United's focus this summer has been strengthening the midfield.

Manchester United have secured three players with Premier League experience—André Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Moisés Caicedo—for a combined investment of £155 million. ESPN sources indicate that relative to market rates, these three deals represent excellent value and manageable risk. By comparison, rivals' combined outlay for Jarrod Balogun, Sandro Tonali, and Enzo Fernández totaled £341 million.

Manchester United had initially pursued Balogun but were only willing to match Nottingham Forest's asking price of £70 million. They also explored Tonali but deemed the risk too high given his previous betting suspension.

Budget constraints remain significant, especially since the club struggles to sell surplus players. Manchester City generated nearly £350 million from transfer sales this summer, while Manchester United received less than £50 million.

Barcelona was expected to trigger Marcus Rashford's loan-to-buy option, and Joshua Zirkzee could also have brought revenue. Instead, Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon for the wing position. Manchester United's attempts to sell Zirkzee stalled, with serious offers only materializing late on deadline day—too late to finalize a deal.

The club's financial position means they cannot spend £300-400 million in a single window. Manchester United had the resources to match Tottenham's £85 million bid for Matheus Fernandes, already a key midfield target. However, the club ultimately withdrew, partly because Fernandes showed no enthusiasm for joining Old Trafford—a significant red flag.

Berrada and Wilcox prioritize a player's genuine desire to join, evidenced by successful signings of Mateus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer. This year, they've had to adapt their approach flexibly.

After Ederson's move collapsed due to medical concerns, Manchester United accelerated talks with Chelsea for Santos. Having abandoned the Fernandes pursuit, they quickly activated Tielemans' £35 million release clause.

Following Tielemans' arrival, the club targeted Jurriën Timber. After confirming he would stay at Arsenal, Manchester United turned to Moisés Caicedo. Brighton initially demanded £120 million but eventually accepted £70 million.

The transfer process presented additional obstacles.

Manchester United continues to monitor Ismael Benítez, with data analysis suggesting his last season's performance compares favorably to Fernandes during his West Ham tenure. However, a trend has emerged: agents increasingly prefer placing their clients at mid-table Premier League clubs. Players gain regular playing time, then move to a top-six club later, commanding higher fees and wages.

Moisés Caicedo exemplifies this path, moving to Chelsea for £115 million after a season at a mid-table club. Benítez and his representatives chose a similar route this summer, joining a mid-table side for approximately £40 million. If he performs well this season, his market value and expected salary will rise significantly by 2026.

No Need to Chase "Transfer Window Winners"

ESPN sources reveal that Manchester United's top priority next summer is reconstructing the defense.

Berrada and Wilcox are satisfied with last year's signings of Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko, and Sander Berge. The absence of major errors in last summer's window allowed the club to prioritize midfield reinforcement as planned. If this summer also remains mistake-free, the club will have funds available to sign center-backs and full-backs ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The club internally refers to this approach as "foundation building": steadily refining the squad without constantly clearing up preventable blunders.

Sources indicate that with the transfer window closing Tuesday, Manchester United has still not addressed its left-back shortage. David Raum was told he could leave all summer, and Manchester United had the opportunity to sign the 28-year-old for approximately £30 million on a four-to-five-year deal. However, the club felt this signing would disrupt their next transfer phase and declined.

Lewis Hall was the primary left-back target, but Newcastle refused to enter negotiations, forcing postponement until next year. Prioritizing Hall this summer would have eliminated the budget for Caicedo.

Manchester United also considered short-term solutions. In the final week, agents proactively offered Rayan Aït-Nouri; on deadline day, Manchester City signaled that any deal would require a mandatory buy-option clause. Learning of the long-term commitment required, Manchester United withdrew.

The club acknowledges the current situation is imperfect, but their goal is not to "win" a single transfer window—it is to create conditions for successfully acquiring their priority targets next summer. Manchester United believes this long-term strategy will ultimately prove worthwhile.

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