Manchester United have completed two major signings in the summer transfer window so far, but Ruben Amorim wants at least three more to create his dream XI in the 2025/26 season

Bryan Mbeumo is finally a Manchester United player
Bryan Mbeumo became Manchester United’s second summer signing on Monday(Image: Manchester United FC)

Manchester United have jetted off to the United States for their pre-season tour with their squad overhaul only part-complete. United came into the summer transfer window with big plans to rip up their squad and start again after a dreadful campaign, but it’s been slow going so far.

Defeat in the Europa League final after finishing 15th in the Premier League sparked serious questions in the camp. The idea was that Ruben Amorim would be backed in the transfer market, with the unwanted players discarded and the reset button pressed.

The early arrival of Matheus Cunha, in a £62.5million transfer from Wolves, appeared to be a statement of intent. But it has taken six more weeks for the second arrival to be sealed, with Bryan Mbeumo joining for £71m from Brentford on Monday.

Cunha and Mbeumo are major signings for United, who have managed to capture two of the most exciting players in the Premier League, despite not being able to offer them any European football in the upcoming campaign. But there remains lots of work to do before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

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Firstly, the club needs to find buyers for the five members of their ‘bomb squad’ – Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia. Rashford is heading to Barcelona on loan and Sancho is joining Juventus, but the other three are works in progress.

In the meantime the search goes on for other targets. One avenue that has attracted more column inches in recent weeks is in goal, with interest in Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez clear. United reportedly made an offer to sign the World Cup winner on loan, only to see it rejected by Villa.

Andre Onana’s mistakes have been well documented and back-up Altay Bayindir was no better when he stepped into the void last season. Emi Martinez would undoubtedly be a step up, if United can get a deal over the line; the issue is that he is under contract with Villa until June 2029 and they are unlikely to sanction a sale to a direct rival.

Man United are keen on a deal for Emi Martinez(Image: Getty Images)

Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens is another player United are considering, with Onana currently on the comeback from a hamstring injury. Lammens is valued at £17m by the Belgian club, making him a more realistic alternative.

The Athletic says that another area Amorim wants improvement in is deep-lying midfield, where Casemiro is over the hill, Manuel Ugarte hasn’t impressed consistently and Kobbie Mainoo – like Scott McTominay before him – is better suited to playing further forward.

United have been credited with an interest in Atalanta star Ederson – and the Brazilian would appear to be a perfect fit. Juventus and Inter Milan have also been linked with Ederson, who Atalanta value at €60m (£52m), but United have the potential advantage of having good relations with the Italian side, having previously signed Rasmus Hojlund and Amad from them.

Ederson would be a good fit for Manchester United(Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Ederson’s presence at the base of midfield would allow Amorim to field captain Bruno Fernandes in one of his two central midfield roles, with new signings Mbeumo and Cunha operating in the No.10 positions. Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand, who Amorim knows well, is another option.

Up front, United are searching for a centre-forward. They made enquiries over Hugo Ekitike, who is now joining Liverpool, and Viktor Gyokeres, who is Arsenal-bound, while Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins are on their long list.

United would likely need to sell Hojlund this summer to help open up space and fund a move for a striker, and there have been rumours of interest from Serie A in the Danish striker, who managed just 10 goals in 52 games last season.

How Manchester United could line up with three more signings

HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of the line up? What changes would you make? Comment below.

Benjamin Sesko first came to United’s attention as a 16-year-old in Slovenia and the club held talks last summer. Earlier this summer it looked as though Arsenal preferred him to Gyokeres, but they ultimately changed their minds.

Sesko is thought to be valued at €70m (£60m) by RB Leipzig and has the all-round game to play as a loan centre-forward in Amorim’s system.

Ruben Amorim’s dream Man Utd XI: E Martinez; Yoro, De Ligt, L Martinez; Dalot, Ederson, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.

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