Manchester United have added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to Michael Carrick’s midfield, but the club still want another player who can provide the athleticism missing from their current options.
United’s summer plans changed after the proposed signing of Éderson from Atalanta collapsed. Concerns raised during the medical process led the club to step away from a deal worth around £38million.
Santos had already arrived from Chelsea for an initial £48m, with another £2m available in add-ons. United then moved quickly for Tielemans, triggering the release clause in his Aston Villa contract before confirming his arrival on a deal until June 2031.
The two signings give Carrick more technical quality, Premier League experience and control in possession.
They do not completely address United’s need for greater mobility.
David Ornstein has said United always intended to sign three midfielders. The final addition is expected to be someone with the legs to cover ground and complement the progressive qualities already added.
Manu Koné, João Gomes, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Carlos Baleba have all been mentioned. However, the strength of United’s interest varies considerably between the four players.
Why United Still Want Another Midfielder
United’s current midfield contains plenty of ability on the ball.
Tielemans can receive possession under pressure and break defensive lines with his passing. Santos offers forward running, strong ball recovery and the ability to contribute in both penalty areas.
Bruno Fernandes remains the team’s main creator, while Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount provide further options.
Carrick still lacks a midfielder whose main strength is covering space.
Sky Sports’ analysis found that United’s existing midfielders all ranked outside the Premier League’s top 25 for distance covered per 90 minutes last season. Mainoo was the highest at 26th.
The numbers do not mean United simply need the player who runs the furthest. Positioning, defensive awareness and the ability to recover possession remain more important than distance alone.
They do demonstrate why Wilcox is searching for a different profile.
United need somebody capable of protecting transitions when Tielemans or Fernandes move forward. The same player must press aggressively, support the full-backs and recover quickly when possession is lost.
ReadManUtd previously examined how Tielemans can improve United’s control without solving every midfield weakness.
The third signing should complement Tielemans and Santos rather than repeat their qualities.
Is Manu Koné Actually A United Target?
Koné looks like a logical candidate on paper.
The Roma midfielder carries the ball powerfully, competes physically and covers large areas. He can receive under pressure before driving possession through midfield.
Roma’s financial position could also create an opportunity.
Reports in Italy claim the Serie A club want around €60m after rejecting a €40m offer from Atlético Madrid. Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has acknowledged the need to balance the club’s finances, raising the possibility of a significant sale.
TEAMtalk has reported that Koné is interested in moving to the Premier League and that his representatives have been holding discussions in England.
There is an important contradiction.
The Athletic’s Carl Anka has said that his checks with sources indicated Koné was not on United’s shortlist. That account carries more weight than reports merely linking the player with several Premier League clubs.
United may admire Koné without actively working on a deal. His agent being in England does not confirm negotiations with Old Trafford officials.
ReadManUtd recently assessed how Koné would fit alongside Santos and Tielemans.
The football argument remains convincing. The transfer evidence is less clear.
United should therefore avoid presenting Koné as the leading target unless more reliable information emerges.
João Gomes Offers The Clearest Athletic Fit
Gomes may be the most natural match for Wilcox’s brief.
The Wolves midfielder ranked seventh among Premier League midfielders for tackles per 90 minutes last season. He was also third for possessions won in the defensive third.
Those numbers reflect a player comfortable protecting space and engaging opponents early.
Gomes is aggressive without the ball and has experience of playing in a Wolves team that often faced sustained pressure. He understands the speed and physical demands of the Premier League.
Reports claim United made contact after his proposed move to Atlético Madrid collapsed. Liverpool have also been credited with an approach.
No accepted bid has been reported.
The Brazilian would not add the passing range of Tielemans or the creativity of Fernandes. United would be buying him to provide balance around those players.
A midfield containing Gomes, Santos and Tielemans would offer Carrick several combinations.
Gomes could sit alongside Tielemans when United expect to dominate possession. Santos could then be introduced as a more dynamic No 8.
Carrick could also pair Gomes with Santos in demanding away matches, giving United greater defensive intensity behind Fernandes.
The concern surrounds price. Wolves would be expected to demand a substantial fee for a 25-year-old midfielder under contract and proven in England.
United have already committed around £85m to Santos and Tielemans. Another £40m or more would take the total investment beyond £125m.
That is a major outlay, but Gomes would address the clearest remaining weakness.
Tchouaméni Would Be The Premium Option
Tchouaméni is the most established player among the reported candidates.
The France international has operated at the highest level for Real Madrid and is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or centre-back.
He reads transitions well, wins aerial duels and distributes possession with greater authority than most defensive specialists.
Tchouaméni would immediately improve United’s starting XI.
He would also be the most difficult and expensive option to secure.
The 26-year-old recently signed a new Madrid contract running until 2031. That agreement strengthens the Spanish club’s position and gives them little reason to accept anything below a premium fee.
Reports have suggested United could consider an offer worth around £70m. There has been no confirmation of formal negotiations or an accepted willingness from Madrid to sell.
A new contract does not make a transfer impossible. It does make the player more expensive and reduces United’s leverage.
The club must also consider the wider rebuild. Carrick still needs reinforcements at full-back, while decisions remain over the forward line and several possible departures.
Paying £70m for Tchouaméni would restrict United’s ability to address those areas.
He is the best player on the list, but the deal may not represent the best use of the remaining budget.
Has The Carlos Baleba Opportunity Changed?
Baleba has been admired by United for more than a year.
Brighton valued him at close to £100m last summer, effectively ending any chance of a deal. Reports now suggest that figure could be nearer £70m following a quieter season.
Ornstein has questioned whether United would pay such a fee after the midfielder’s form dipped.
Brighton’s selling record must also be considered. The club rarely accept reduced offers for important players and are under no pressure to sell Baleba.
ReadManUtd reported that United could reconsider Baleba after Brighton’s valuation reportedly softened.
The Cameroon international offers ball-winning, power and strong carrying ability. He is younger than Gomes, Koné and Tchouaméni, giving him more room to improve.
However, his running statistics do not clearly support the idea that he is the perfect high-energy solution.
Sky Sports found that Baleba did not cover more distance than Tielemans last season. His value comes from his ability to intercept, regain possession and move the ball through pressure rather than relentless running.
United would be paying for potential as well as immediate performance.
At £70m, that remains a difficult calculation.
What About Alex Scott, Adam Wharton And Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Several younger midfielders remain on the wider list.
United admire Alex Scott, but Bournemouth reportedly have no intention of selling. An £80m valuation would make him difficult to justify after the spending on Santos and Tielemans.
Adam Wharton is another admired player. Crystal Palace’s price is likely to have increased following Elliot Anderson’s £116m move to Manchester City.
Wharton would improve United’s passing and tempo control, but he does not perfectly fit the athletic ball-winner profile currently being discussed.
Bouaddi offers the strongest long-term potential.
The Lille midfielder is only 18 and has already demonstrated unusual composure in senior football. A deal involving another season in France could appeal to Lille, although it would not immediately solve Carrick’s midfield requirement.
United need somebody ready to contribute now.
Signing a prospect and loaning him back would be sensible succession planning. It could not be treated as the final part of the current rebuild.
Who Should United Sign?
Gomes appears to offer the cleanest fit between need, availability and Premier League readiness.
He is not the most glamorous option, but United already possess creativity and progressive passing. They need a midfielder who enjoys defensive work and can protect the space behind the attacking players.
Tchouaméni would be the strongest signing if money were not a major factor.
His experience and complete defensive profile would improve Carrick’s team immediately. The likely fee and his new Madrid contract make that scenario difficult.
Baleba offers greater long-term upside than Gomes but carries more uncertainty at the reported price.
Koné remains an intriguing tactical fit, although the conflicting reports surrounding United’s interest cannot be ignored.
Wilcox should remain disciplined.
The collapse of the Éderson deal forced United to change direction, but the quick additions of Santos and Tielemans have removed the need to rush.
ReadManUtd reported how United moved decisively from Éderson to Tielemans. The third deal can be approached with more patience.
United do not need another famous name. They need somebody who makes the midfield function.
Gomes currently looks closest to that description.
Manchester United Midfield Rebuild: Key Facts
How many midfielders have United signed this summer?
United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
How much have they spent?
The combined initial cost is reported to be around £83m, before the possible £2m in add-ons attached to Santos.
Do United still want another midfielder?
Yes. Ornstein has said one more midfielder was always part of the plan.
Is Manu Koné definitely on the shortlist?
No. Reports from Italy and TEAMtalk have linked him with United, but The Athletic’s Carl Anka has said Koné was not on the club’s shortlist when he checked.
Have United agreed a fee for João Gomes?
No. Contact has been reported, but there is no confirmed agreement with Wolves.
Is Tchouaméni available?
There is no firm confirmation that Real Madrid want to sell him. His new contract runs until 2031.
Could United return for Baleba?
They continue to admire him, but Brighton’s valuation and his recent form make a deal uncertain.
Who best fits United’s remaining need?
Gomes offers the clearest combination of defensive intensity, Premier League experience and mobility.
