Manchester United Strengthen Elsewhere – But Miss Where It Matters Most

Manchester United Strengthen Elsewhere – But Miss Where It Matters Most

Manchester United’s summer business has been bold, ambitious, and at times, scattergun. The focus has been overwhelmingly on attack. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig cost close to £200 million when add-ons are included. It is the sort of attacking overhaul that underlines the club’s desire to rediscover a sharper cutting edge in front of goal.

There was also a nod to the future in defence. Paraguayan teenager Diego León joined from Cerro Porteño for a modest fee of around £4 million, while last season had already seen the club commit heavily to its backline. Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui all came through the door in 2024, alongside prospects such as Sékou Koné. On paper, United are younger, quicker and stronger in both attack and defence than they were two years ago. Even with a three-centre-back system, however, the lack of a defensive midfielder still leaves gaps that can be exploited between the lines, highlighting the ongoing need for reinforcement in midfield.

But even as the rebuild continues to take shape, one absence is impossible to ignore. For all the investment and careful planning in other areas, no defensive midfielder has arrived. At a time when modern football is increasingly defined by control in the middle third, United are still short in the one position that could tie everything together.

Manchester United presented their new signings to their fans at Old Trafford today:

🇸🇮 Benjamin Sesko
🇨🇲 Bryan Mbeumo
🇵🇾 Diego Leon
🇧🇷 Matheus Cunha pic.twitter.com/cpkClFeQkG

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 9, 2025

The Midfield Dilemma: Creativity Without Protection

It is here where the squad looks most vulnerable. Bruno Fernandes remains the heartbeat of United’s midfield, while Kobbie Mainoo is blossoming into a player of real influence. The teenager’s maturity on the ball, his ability to carry possession through pressure, and his intelligence in tight spaces have already marked him out as one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfielders. But Mainoo is not a natural holding player. He thrives when he has licence to break lines, not when tasked with sitting deep to plug gaps.

Casemiro, once among the best in the world at that role, is now 33. The sharpness and mobility that defined his peak years at Real Madrid have inevitably waned, and while his reading of the game remains strong, United can no longer rely on him to cover ground at the pace required in the Premier League.

The last time we lost 1-0 on opening day pic.twitter.com/rQUciPzvOZ

— Manchester United Die Hard Fans (@DieHardUtdFans) August 17, 2025

Manuel Ugarte offers bite and intensity, but doubts persist about whether he is technically secure enough to be the long-term answer as a No 6. His aggressive ball-winning has value, but against sides that look to draw United onto them, his limitations in distribution have been exposed. Without a specialist defensive midfielder capable of blending physicality with composure, the system looks stretched.

United are crying out for athleticism in front of the back four, but also for a midfielder who can pick the ball up deep and drive the team forward. Both Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have shown they can do exactly that — combining energy with the passing range and intelligence to link defence to attack. It is the kind of profile United have lacked for over a decade, since the days when Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick dictated games from deep positions. The absence of such a figure has left a void not only in control but in progression, and it is a gap that continues to define their midfield.

The Casemiro Conundrum

When Manchester United signed Casemiro from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, it was viewed as the marquee move that would finally plug the gaping hole in their midfield. The Brazilian arrived with five Champions League titles, a reputation as one of the finest defensive midfielders of his generation, and the aura of a serial winner. For his first season, he largely delivered on that promise, adding steel and authority to a midfield that had long looked lightweight.

How are we not winning this game pic.twitter.com/OGxah8z98R

— Manchester United Die Hard Fans (@DieHardUtdFans) August 17, 2025

But time waits for no one. At 33, Casemiro has begun to show signs of decline, particularly in a league as physically demanding as the Premier League. Injuries have disrupted his rhythm, and when he has played, his lack of mobility has been ruthlessly exposed. He still reads the game well, and in possession his passing remains steady, but he no longer covers ground with the same intensity. For a side that often leaves its midfield exposed by adventurous full-backs and inconsistent pressing, that drop-off has been costly.

This leaves United in a difficult position. Casemiro’s contract still has time to run, and he is one of the club’s highest earners. His pedigree means he retains enormous respect, but the reality is United cannot continue to lean on him as their sole solution at the base of midfield. They need a succession plan, one that blends athleticism with intelligence — a profile of player increasingly common at Europe’s top clubs.

Exposed in Transition

One of the most glaring consequences of United’s midfield shortage is how vulnerable the team has become during transitions. Opponents no longer need to penetrate the defensive line slowly; they can exploit spaces in the middle as soon as possession changes. Without a disciplined No. 6 to shield the defence, runners find pockets between the midfield and back four, and United are forced into reactive rather than proactive defending.

Fast wing play has become particularly dangerous. When full-backs push high, as they frequently do under Amorim, the absence of a midfield screen allows opposing wide players to drift inside, creating overloads in central zones. In several early-season matches, these scenarios have led directly to goal-scoring opportunities, highlighting a structural fragility rather than isolated mistakes.

Manchester United had more shots (22) than any other side in the opening round of Premier League fixtures. This is despite the fact that they played the best defensive side in the league last season.

Frustrating to lose but there are so many positives to take. ✅ pic.twitter.com/Bu1WxgxkWa

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 19, 2025

Pressing traps are also more effective against United than they should be. Teams now know that if they can draw Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, or Kobbie Mainoo out of position, there is no secondary layer of protection to disrupt the passing lanes. This predictability allows opponents to advance through the centre with alarming efficiency, turning transitions into a recurring problem rather than one-off incidents.

The danger is not limited to elite opposition. Even mid-table sides have capitalised on these weaknesses, exploiting the lack of control to counterattack rapidly and catch United off guard. Until a midfielder capable of shielding the back four and dictating play is introduced, these transitional vulnerabilities will remain a persistent issue, undermining both defensive stability and attacking rhythm.

A Search Without Resolution

The club’s recruitment team has explored options, but the search has so far led nowhere. One player who has featured prominently in conversations is Carlos Baleba of Brighton. United held talks with the south coast club earlier in the window, but Brighton made it clear he was not for sale. The expectation is that he will remain at the Amex Stadium for at least another season, with a move in the summer of 2026 more likely. Should Baleba continue to impress, United would almost certainly face strong competition from Europe’s elite when that time comes.

Another name admired internally is Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. While the player himself is highly regarded, it is Palace that sets the asking price, which United have yet to meet.

Given these challenges, United are also reportedly exploring Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP as a more attainable alternative. The Danish midfielder brings leadership, passing range, and defensive intelligence. Sporting are reluctant to part with their captain, making any deal difficult, but he represents a potential contingency should other targets remain out of reach.

🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Manchester United want to spend “a lot of money” on Baleba, but not as much as Brighton are demanding, reports @TheAthleticFC. 🗞️

According to ESPN, The Seagulls have set an asking price of €120m (£104m) for the Cameroonian midfielder. 🤑

If no deal is… pic.twitter.com/mHsn8gWtAS

— 433 (@433) August 19, 2025

Financial Constraints: Struggling to Offload Players

United's pursuit of midfield reinforcements is further complicated by their efforts to offload several players to balance the books. Jadon Sancho has rejected a £20 million move to AS Roma due to disagreements over personal terms and is holding out for better offers.

Antony impressed during his loan spell at Real Betis but now faces a stalemate; the Spanish club are interested in re-signing him but lack the financial resources to meet United's valuation, leading to speculation that a loan deal may be the only feasible option.

Alejandro Garnacho is also in a precarious position. Chelsea are reportedly interested but have indicated they will not meet United's £50 million asking price, suggesting they may wait until the transfer window nears its end in hopes of securing a lower fee.

Additionally, Tyrell Malacia remains on the periphery, with no significant offers forthcoming.

🚨⚠️ Jadon Sancho, currently not accepting AS Roma proposal and not even in talks with Besiktas now.

No agreement between Sancho and Roma on personal terms, despite Man United ready to accept £20m bid.

Besiktas deal in stand-by as Sancho won’t consider Turkey before September. pic.twitter.com/YthkLb6Is4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025

Comparisons with Rivals

The Premier League’s elite have all invested heavily in their midfield cores in recent seasons, underlining the importance of the position. Arsenal spent over £100 million to bring Declan Rice from West Ham, instantly adding presence, ball-winning ability, and leadership in front of their back four. Rice’s arrival has transformed Arsenal’s control of big matches, giving Mikel Arteta a foundation on which to build their title challenge.

Manchester City, meanwhile, continue to evolve their options under Pep Guardiola. The signing of Mateo Kovačić added another press-resistant midfielder capable of carrying the ball through lines, while Rodri remains the benchmark for defensive midfielders in the modern game. His ability to screen the defence, dictate tempo, and contribute with vital goals has become irreplaceable to City’s dominance.

If you look at Manchester United's top ten record signings, how much they cost, and how they performed, then think about the fact that they just finished 15th with no Europe and are able to drop £130m on two players, it's enough to make you sick

— Callum Castel (@CallumCastel7) July 18, 2025

Even Liverpool, who endured midfield criticism for years, moved decisively to reshape their engine room. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai have brought renewed energy and technical variety. Gravenberch in particular offers the blend of athleticism and progression United crave — able to carry the ball through pressure and link play from deep. For United supporters, the contrast is painful: while rivals have reinforced intelligently, their own midfield rebuild remains unfinished.

Looking Ahead

United’s midfield dilemma is not one that can be solved overnight, but the direction of travel is clear. If they want to close the gap on their rivals, they must prioritise finding a midfielder capable of shielding the defence, progressing the ball, and dictating play. For too long, United have relied on makeshift solutions, whether it be ageing stars or square pegs in round holes.

The potential targets are there. Wharton’s maturity at Crystal Palace, Baleba’s promise at Brighton, and Hjulmand at Sporting CP all fit the mould of what United lack. Yet signing such a player will require decisiveness, financial flexibility, and a willingness to commit fully to a long-term project rather than another short-term patch.

This summer has shown United can strengthen in other areas, but without the right addition at the base of midfield, they will remain fundamentally unbalanced. The lesson from Arsenal, City, and Liverpool is clear: a strong spine starts with the right defensive midfielder. Until United grasp that, their rebuild will always feel incomplete.