Manchester United’s summer transfer window was dominated by big-money moves in attack, but the midfield remained untouched.
While the Red Devils secured the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens and Diego Leon, there was a deliberate decision to avoid a high-profile midfield signing.
The club stressed that Ruben Amorim’s midfield options were already considered strong and versatile enough for the challenges of the Premier League.
Players such as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo give the Portuguese tactician multiple configurations to work with.
Casemiro and Fernandes have featured in every league match this season, providing consistency at the heart of the pitch.
Manchester United did make enquiries about Carlos Baleba, who Brighton valued at around £100million, but with the club having already spent £215m in other areas, a marquee midfield arrival was deemed financially unrealistic.
Instead, United focused on reinforcing other positions, confident that their existing midfield roster could compete effectively, as per the Manchester Evening News.
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Toby Collyer, promoted to the first team last term, was allowed to leave for West Brom on a season-long loan to secure regular minutes, a move supported by the club.
Kobbie Mainoo, one of United’s promising young midfielders, had requested a loan in the final week of the window, but the club blocked the move.
Ruben Amorim made it clear in his pre-Burnley press conference that Mainoo is expected to fight for a place in the starting eleven, particularly competing alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking after the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby and the subsequent draw against Burnley, Amorim highlighted Mainoo’s development and his importance to the squad.
“He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno,” Ruben Amorim explained.
“And I change two midfielders. I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team need to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
“So he (Mainoo) just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United.
“[Sometimes] he’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”
Mainoo has already featured this season, starting against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup and coming on at half-time against Burnley due to Mount’s injury, signalling that Amorim trusts the young Englishman to step up when required.
United may not have strengthened in midfield this summer, but the club is confident that existing options and emerging talents like Mainoo provide the depth needed to challenge on all fronts.
