Overview

• United spent over £200m on Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and signed goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but they ended the summer without a senior central midfielder.
• The Athletic reported personal terms with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, with valuations around £100–115m deterring a summer move; Manchester Evening News says United expect to meet the player this month and will assess him again when Brighton visit Old Trafford on October 25.
• Planning for the next window is under way, with reports linking alternatives such as Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia, cited by Miguel Delaney, and interest in Adam Wharton highlighted in local coverage.
• Fabrizio Romano said Kobbie Mainoo asked for a loan due to limited minutes, a request the hierarchy rejected, and Football Transfers reported Ruben Amorim was unhappy with being left without his preferred midfield addition.
• Public scrutiny has intensified, with Jeff Stelling criticizing the lack of an energetic midfielder and the decision to opt for the inexperienced Lammens, as United also weigh goalkeeper decisions and 2026 contract calls for senior players like Harry Maguire and Casemiro.