Manchester United Step Up Summer Rebuild with Focus on Attack – But Midfield Concerns Remain
Manchester United have kick-started their summer transfer window with a clear intent to address last season’s shortcomings in front of goal. The Red Devils have already confirmed a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, and are also reportedly advancing negotiations to sign Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
The aggressive approach to revamp the frontline comes as no surprise. United’s attacking output in the 2024/25 campaign fell well below expectations, and new manager Rúben Amorim is determined to correct that by adding pace, versatility, and clinical finishing to the squad.
But the most pressing task may lie at the heart of the pitch.
Striker Hunt Intensifies
While Cunha and Mbeumo add quality and depth, the Red Devils are also actively pursuing a new No. 9, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres emerging as a prime target. The Swedish forward scored goals at an elite level in Portugal last season, and Amorim—his former coach—knows exactly what he would bring to Old Trafford.
Reports suggest United are preparing a formal bid, and the belief is that Gyökeres could provide the focal point the club has lacked since the departure of Edinson Cavani and the inconsistency of Rasmus Højlund.
Don’t Forget the Midfield
Amid the attacking focus, United’s midfield remains a potential area of concern. At first glance, with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte (expected to join from PSG), and Toby Collyer, United may appear to have enough numbers.
However, with Casemiro reportedly being phased out and Bruno now 29 and facing uncertainty over his long-term role under Amorim, the midfield lacks true balance and athleticism—particularly against top pressing sides.
The Baleba Solution?
One name who has quietly emerged as an ideal fit is Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion. The 20-year-old Cameroon-born midfielder has drawn comparisons to a young Paul Pogba for his blend of technical skill, dynamism, and physical strength.
Baleba would offer United a modern profile in midfield—one capable of contributing both defensively and progressing the ball in transition. At Brighton, he showed flashes of brilliance last season, and under the right guidance, he could develop into a complete box-to-box midfielder.
Given Amorim’s tendency to work well with energetic, technically gifted midfielders, Baleba could thrive at United, and his arrival might prove essential in games where the Red Devils have often lost control of the middle third.
The Bigger Picture
Manchester United are clearly undergoing a tactical and personnel transformation under Amorim. The push for forwards is necessary—but not at the expense of midfield structure.
A signing like Baleba, along with the expected arrival of Ugarte, could give United a solid platform to dominate midfield battles and allow the attacking talents to flourish.
With no European football next season, the club must be smart in building a balanced squad that can deliver immediate results domestically—and potentially set the foundation for a stronger push in Europe the following year.
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