Manchester United look set to prepare for another summer of change in 2026. Following the departure of Ruben Amorim in January, the Red Devils will once again enter the transfer window with a new manager.
But it seems they intend to do so from a position of strength. Michael Carrick has calmed the storm at Old Trafford since being appointed interim manager. And they now sit in the box seat that will ensure them a top-four place and a return to the Champions League.
However, the gap between the top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, remains wide and United have a lot of work to do if they are to close the gap over the summer.
The squad is expected to have changed significantly by the start of the 2026/27 season, but a decision on which manager will lead them is also looming.
INEOS are also desperate to show that the club is moving in the right direction under their management. So MirrorFootball has devised a foolproof five-step plan to get Manchester United back on the right track and quickly back to the top.
read more: Robin van Persie and Raheem Sterling under pressure as furious Feyenoord fans fight backread more: Eight players to leave Man United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe raises £100m transfer fund
1. Make business decisions…early.
Carrick is understandably the frontrunner and United would have to make the bold decision not to give him the chance of a permanent job if they secure Champions League football.
But even if the Old Trafford boss has so far chosen not to speak to other candidates, there will be other options to consider.
Carrick or not, decisions have to be made early. United cannot waste precious time in the summer considering the best course of action.
The locker room clearly wants Carrick, they’ve made it clear. So let’s give them what they want.
2. New contract with Bruno Fernandes
If there’s ever a decision you can’t go wrong with, this is it. Yes, he is now 31 years old and certainly United could fetch a pretty penny, but there shouldn’t be even the slightest question mark over Fernandes’ future.
Bruno Fernandes has been in great form for Manchester United this season (Image: Getty Images)
The Portuguese is at the heart of United and is arguably the best individual player in the Premier League this season.
Considering his contract runs until 2027 with an option for a further 12 months, the Red Devils are holding all cards. But let’s not get confused here…give him a new long-term contract and let him understand how important he is.
At the same time, give Harry Maguire and Kobie Mynoux new contracts. They deserve it, and replacing them would be adding another headache where they don’t need it.
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3. Reduce your wage bill and recover some of your funds
This will take some effort, but it’s a job Manchester United have to get right. It is understood that upon returning to Europe’s top competition, players will receive back 25 per cent of the wages they lost when they missed out.
That includes players like Andre Onana, who spent the season thousands of miles away from Manchester.
United therefore need to counter this by signing players who can meet their requirements. Casemiro, the club’s highest earner, has already confirmed he will leave at the end of his contract, while Tyrrell Malasia and Jadon Sancho are also almost certain to leave.
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are both set to leave Old Trafford this summer (Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford wants a permanent move to Barcelona, but he will undoubtedly be a difficult negotiator. Rasmus Højlund is also set to move to Napoli.
Onana would like to try again to win back the No. 1 shirt, but if he can recoup some of his expenses, it’s a move worth doing.
According to recent reports, manager Jim Ratcliffe wants eight players to leave the club this summer, with Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee potentially also leaving the club.
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4. Rebuild the midfield
If 2025 was a thorough review of the front line area, 2026 will see the same thing done in the midfield. Casemiro’s decision to leave means a fresh set of options in the center of the park is non-negotiable.
Mainu remains a building block, but Ugarte hasn’t played very well, meaning United could probably do with two starting-level midfielders.
It won’t be cheap, but United need a player who can take command immediately. Like when Arsenal shelled out big bucks to sign Declan Rice.
Elliott Anderson is that player. They will face stiff competition from neighbors Manchester City, but new benchmarks could be set if the England star swaps the red of Nottingham Forest for United.
Carlos Baleva also continues to attract attention. And after a below-average season, he could probably be signed at a significant discount to the price he was offered last year. Wolves’ Joao Gomes is another option and could accept a discount given their relegation to the Championship.
Elliott Anderson is United’s top midfield target this summer (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
5. Add depth
Our plan is that a number of underperforming players will leave the team, so United will need to replenish their depth with quality players.
United have continued to make strides in the league in recent months, but that comes with the caveat that they have a much smaller fixture list than their rivals. United were kicked out of both domestic cup competitions early on, leaving them without a team to compete in European football.
The story could change if they return to three games a week. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the depth strength.
This can end up being the most expensive part of your entire summer, and it’s probably unrealistic to do in just one window. But if United really want to compete on multiple fronts, it can’t be overlooked.
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