Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has outlined the club’s transfer strategy for the summer of 2026, with the Reds targeting at least five new signings.
Manchester United CEO Omar Berada (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has confirmed the club plans to repeat last summer’s transfer strategy by combining experienced Premier League talent with overseas stars.
United spent over £200m on four players in the 2025/26 summer transfer window. The Red Devils opened the business by signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal, followed by Brian Mbuumo signing from Brentford for £71m. The club then signed Benjamin Sesco from RB Leipzig for £73 million, and later on Senne Ramens from Royal Antwerp for £18 million.
On the free side, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Andre Onana, Toby Collier, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Ammas and Rasmus Hjølund were loaned out, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea for £40m and Anthony joined Real Betis for £21m. Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans left the club when their contracts expired.
In the end, it proved to be a fruitful opportunity for United, with the team eventually finishing third in the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League after Michael Carrick took over as manager midway through the season. Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesco and Lamence all made impressive starts to their careers at Old Trafford, helping the club return to Europe’s elite competition.
With United heading into another crucial summer, Berrada insisted the Reds have a “clear plan” and are looking to repeat the success they achieved in the transfer window a year ago.
Speaking on United’s YouTube channel, Berrada said: “I think the template of what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways. You always hit a window and you don’t know how you get out of it, but we have to be well prepared. We have to have a clear plan.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox hope for further success at Old Trafford (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
“We have to know exactly which positions we want to strengthen, and we have to be prepared for all eventualities. There may be exits that we don’t expect, and there may be opportunities in the market that weren’t there at the beginning of the window. So we have to be prepared.”
“We have to be agile and flexible, but we have a clear plan. Jason Wilcox and his team are very well equipped to execute that plan. And I think what we saw last season is a good step forward for us. So we want a combination of experience and youth.”
“We want a combination of players who have proven they can play in the Premier League, and maybe even players who have played outside the Premier League. But we always do it within our terms and ensure that whatever decisions we make are long-term and not just short-term.”
United are targeting at least five new signings this summer. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to become the club’s first signing after reaching an agreement for £38m earlier this week.
In addition, the Reds are also interested in Real Madrid’s Aurelien Choameny, West Ham United’s Matheus Fernandes and Brighton’s Carlos Baleva. Elliott Anderson has also been mentioned as a target, but Manchester City appear to be leading the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s midfielder.
A striker is also firmly on United’s wish list, with the club already confirming that Hojlund will make his move permanent this summer. Left-back is also a position under consideration, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall emerging as a potential option.
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