Overview

• United agreed personal terms with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba but stepped back after being quoted roughly £100m–£115m for the midfielder, according to multiple reports.
• Club leadership prioritized goalscorers, with Jason Wilcox pushing that route and Sir Jim Ratcliffe backing it, despite internal voices urging a midfield signing.
• More than £210m was spent on reinforcements up front and in goal, including Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon and Senne Lammens.
• Reporting indicates United expect to revisit Baleba in a future window, with January discussed if finances and squad space allow.
• United explored lower-cost stopgaps, with The Athletic reporting Ratcliffe halted a proposed two-year move for Danny Welbeck and the MEN noting unsuccessful inquiries such as a loan approach for Conor Gallagher.