Anderson agrees to join Man Utd and Rashford is sold – The Red Devils’ dream transfer window

Analysis

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Manchester United enjoyed a transformative run of form under Michael Carrick that has carried them back into the Champions League for the 2026/27 season, yet a return to Europe means a busy transfer window.

United face arguably their most important summer for years as they seek to rebuild a squad capable of competing both at home and abroad, with a requirement to increase both the quality and depth of options on offer to their new permanent manager.

CEO Omar Berrada has already indicated what type of player to expect the Red Devils to move for this summer.

Speaking to Inside Carrington, he explained: “The template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways.

“You have to have a clear plan. You have to know exactly what positions you're looking to strengthen.

"We have to be agile and flexible. But we have a clear plan.

“We want to make some players that have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also with players that are doing very well outside the Premier League. But we will always do it within our terms and ensure that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also for the long term.”

So the outline is clear from those at the top of Man Utd, but what would this look like in terms of a dream window?

MAN UTD 2026/27 SIGNINGS

Man Utd’s midfield is where much of the activity this summer is likely to focus. Ideally, three signings will be made: two in the mid-range bracket and one marquee addition.

Elliot Anderson has been well established as the ‘dream’ option for the Red Devils, but there are fallback possibilities should they miss out on the Nottingham Forest star, who seems to favour Manchester City. Among these are West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

A deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson appears to be all but wrapped up, with the Brazilian one of those at that more reasonable price point.

Elsewhere, there are numerous issues to be addressed.

The success of signing Senne Lammens last summer means that Man Utd seem to have their goalkeeper for the foreseeable future, but there is the possibility of recruiting a No.2 should Altay Bayindir decide that he wants to leave the club. He is capable, though, and in an ideal world, they would not have the problem of recruiting for this area.

United do need full-backs, however. Lewis Hall is being notably courted from Newcastle and ticks crucial boxes that Berrada outlined: his is young, talented and has that all-important Premier League experience. As an alternative, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson is an interesting prospect given he can play on either flank and would enhance Carrick’s side offensively from deep.

In the middle of the defence, United look relatively well covered, with strong young options in Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven plus veteran talent Harry Maguire, who will doubtless benefit from not having the World Cup to contend with.

Up front, there’s also scope for Carrick’s squad to be strengthened. A multi-purpose attacker capable of playing wide or through the middle would help to boost the manager’s options. With AC Milan’s Rafael Leao on the market for €50m, he could well be seen as a transfer market opportunity at that price.

Another strong candidate to emerge lately is Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, who boasts the Premier League credentials they are seeking but perhaps does not have the same top-end potential as the Portuguese.

MAN UTD 2026/27 SALES

United need squad depth as they face the prospect of a far busier season than the one just finished, so there are unlikely to be too many surprises in terms of the exits that are given the green light.

Firstly, those players out on loan will be sold. Rasmus Hojlund has already gone, signing for Napoli in a deal worth another €44m, Jadon Sancho will be released at the end of his contract and Marcus Rashford’s future looks like it’s away from Old Trafford, though whether that’s at Barcelona or elsewhere remains unclear. Andre Onana is also likely to be axed when he returns from Trabzonspor, despite apparently possessing the belief he can redeem himself.

Some obvious makeweights from the 2025/26 squad will be on their way, though.

Among these figures is Tyrell Malacia, whose move to Old Trafford has been little short of a disaster. The left-back is out of contract and will leave as a free agent.

Also departing in a similar manner but with a very different status is Casemiro, whose exit blows a massive hole in the midfield. Despite limited options in here, United will also offload Manuel Ugarte, who is another to have failed to come up to scratch.

Across the forward line, meanwhile, only the future of Joshua Zirkzee is in doubt. He would be a useful squad option, but that may not suit the 25-year-old’s career plan. United will not be in any hurry to allow him to go, though.

Written by

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Robin Bairner is an eminent digital football journalist who has been writing about the sport for major global publishers since 2006, specialising in Ligue 1 and Scottish football. He has been chief editor of the FootballTransfers global edition since its launch in 2020. Previously Bairner had been a key member of the editorial team which helped Goal.com become the world’s biggest football website. He covered multiple major competitions as a correspondent for Goal including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he had the opportunity to work in Fortaleza. Among his highlights of the competition was Brazil’s quarter-final victory over Colombia.

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