[Rob Dawson] A big summer awaits Man United, where transfers take priority

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Sources have told ESPN that there’s a feeling internally that getting this summer’s recruitment drive right is even more important than the appointment of the next head coach.

It’s not to say that the decision about who should be Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor isn’t a big one. But having been in position for more than two years, Ratcliffe and his team have learned that it’s easier to recover from manager mistakes than it is from ones made in the transfer market.

Ahead of what is a crucial summer, there are concerns that André Onana’s wage — which will jump up if United qualify for the Champions League — will be a significant hurdle in trying to find another exit route for the Cameroon goalkeeper after a season on loan in Türkiye with Trabzonspor.

Well-negotiated exits — including Onana’s — will be key to this summer’s transfer business. United, according to sources, are hoping to cover the cost of its primary summer target — a central midfielder — with funds raised from outgoings, preserving the rest of the budget to make other additions.

Barcelona have an option to make Marcus Rashford’s loan move permanent for £26 million, while Napoli are expected to trigger their option to make Rasmus Højlund’s loan move permanent for around £38 million

United are anticipating interest from Italy for forward Joshua Zirkzee and from Türkiye for goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Zirkzee has fans within the club, but there’s an acceptance that he has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League and that his attributes are better suited to Serie A.

Four of five departures should generate between £80m and £90m — the rough budget for a central midfielder to replace Casemiro, who has already announced he will leave at the end of the season. However, the price point is not set in stone

United, according to sources, did not want to raise their bid to £65 million for Mbeumo last summer, but in the end, Wilcox was able to convince Berrada that it was the right move. The same approach will be adopted this time.

Sources have told ESPN that United first enquired about Mbeumo in January 2025 and were told by his representatives that Brentford were asking for an initial fee of £55m. By the time United made formal contact with Brentford in the lead-up to the summer window, the price had jumped to £70 million plus £7m in add-ons

There were talks with Antoine Semenyo’s representatives before the January window and club bosses were led to believe initially that the race was between United and Liverpool. Liverpool’s interest never strengthened and talks with United reached the point of talking about wage expectations.

Sources have told ESPN that the numbers discussed were considered manageable until Semenyo’s representatives held a meeting with Manchester City. After that, it was noted that Semenyo’s wage demands jumped significantly and United felt unable to compete.

There are other targets beyond a midfielder and a left winger. A second central midfielder is also being lined up, with players like João Gomes and Mateus Fernandes considered attainable if Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are relegated.

According to sources, checks have also been made on several left-footed center backs, including Murillo at Nottingham Forest. However, with Maguire staying for at least another year and other options in the shape of Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, a new center back is considered less of a priority

In terms of the profile for a new left-winger for Manchester United, scouts and recruitment analysts have been given a brief to find “an Amad on the other side

Sources have told ESPN that recruitment staff are closely studying this summer’s list of free agents as a way of potentially bolstering the squad without burning too much of a hole in the budget. The priority remains to bring in an established, world-class midfielder and everything else will have to fit in around it.

If even Dawson is saying a big summer, I think we will get a midfielder signing in the door

I do think they might try and get Summerville from West Ham on a discount if they get relegated.