With Andre Onana on the cusp of joining a host of players departing the Manchester United dressing room, Ruben Amorim continues to work in unison with an Ineos-led hierarchy to reinvent a title-contending squad.
Several high-profile names have already arrived to bolster defence and attack, while the midfield function has taken a priority standing for upcoming transfer discussions.
As is common knowledge, Bruno Fernandes has assumed a deeper-lying role as one of Amorim’s central two and shouldered a considerable chunk of discontent amongst an agitated fanbase.
The Old Trafford faithful is crying out for control. With Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of playing time dominating the social conversation, concerns about Manuel Ugarte and an ageing Casemiro have led to calls for action.
In response, United have targeted January as a potential avenue for opportunity. Although there is no guarantee of achieving this mid-season, several names tick the boxes of a meticulously configured wishlist.
Baleba remains a priority target for Manchester United
The Premier League’s worst-kept secret is United’s pursuit of Brighton’s midfield star, Carlos Baleba.
At 21, the Cameroon international has already cultivated a reputation as one of European football’s most coveted prizes through a range of stellar performances and league-leading attributes.
Amorim is perhaps the player’s biggest admirer alongside Jason Wilcox, with the pair invested in completing a deal with their domestic rivals as soon as possible.
However, as the Theatre of Red exclusively revealed through Editor-in-Chief Shaun Connolly at the weekend, Tony Bloom and Fabian Hurzeler committed to a project including Baleba for at least a season. They will not jeopardise their ambitions without a suitable replacement.
Old Trafford officials are aware of interest in England and abroad, and have laid stable foundations for a future agreement. The club intends to propose a deal in January to secure its target, but there is no assurance of success.
Agoume could provide an exquisite alternative
United want to address their requirements promptly, and if Baleba is not a viable option, Lucien Agoume is another held in high regard.
At 23, the French underage international has been on a Red radar for some time due to his blend of strength, technique, and composure.
Since shining as a leader during France’s run to a third-place finish at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2019, Agoume has earned extensive senior experience through several loan deals before completing a permanent move to Sevilla in August 2024.
Purveyors of the Spanish game enjoy an all-action midfielder, who thrives through ball-carrying as much as disrupting transitions and opposition counter-pressing.
Interestingly, his output measures up exceptionally well against the significantly more expensive option in Baleba. As a result, Amorim and Co. are more than a little intrigued by his availability.
| Domestic metrics 24-25 | Agoume (per 90 / percentile) | Baleba (per 90 / percentile) |
| Interceptions | 1.75 / 98th | 1.56 / 91st |
| Tackles (middle third) | 1.58 / 97th | 1.25 / 70th |
| Tackles | 2.98 / 93rd | 2.67 / 70th |
| Aerials won | 1.79 / 91st | 1.32 / 79th |
| Ball recoveries | 5.79 / 88th | 6.66 / 91st |
| Passes blocked | 0.68 / 74th | 1.22 / 84th |
Wharton supplies the domestically tested option
Adam Wharton is a name that has sparked perennial conversations amongst the United faithful since his time at Blackburn, with his influence growing weekly since signing for Crystal Palace in February 2024.
A formidable combination of grace and technical ability complements his tenacity in midfield, as a low-lying player who thrives with his back to goal, before transforming defence to attack with a line-splitting pass.
Given the styles and exceptional abilities of both, many have made a case for a partnership of Mainoo and Wharton to lead club and country for a decade or more.
Carrington officials have long regarded the 21-year-old as a star, and one who looks primed to shoulder the expectation at the Theatre of Dreams.
However, like Baleba, completing a deal mid-season would prove problematic and would certainly require considerable financial resolve for a boy with four years remaining on his deal.
Our sources have confirmed he is a player of interest for some time, and is considered an alternative to Brighton’s next million-pound asset.
Gallagher presents a viable opportunity
Deadline day drama can offer several surprising outcomes, and a last-minute enquiry for Conor Gallagher left many of the United fanbase confused.
At 25, the Atletico Madrid man offers experience in England and on the continent, with 53 appearances in La Liga since departing Chelsea in July 2024.
Although some may question his suitability for this particular squad, an elite engine and savvy technical arsenal have generated an impressive output in a dogged domestic environment.
| Gallagher in La Liga 24-25 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile |
| Ball recoveries | 5.90 | 90 |
| Dribblers challenged | 2.70 | 90 |
| Tackles won | 1.76 | 89 |
| Fouls drawn | 2.15 | 86 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 3.58 | 83 |
| Goals + Assists | 0.33 | 81 |
| Pass completion % (short) | 91.8% | 79 |
Our Spanish sources confirmed Atleti were not actively looking to offload the player this summer, and would only consider a permanent deal for €40 million if he were to leave.
Furthermore, while it may prove challenging to bolster a Manchester midfield in January, the prospect of a deal for Gallagher appears to be more straightforward than others, and this has played heavily into internal considerations.
Let us know your thoughts about this Manchester United midfield wishlist in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com. Statistics available at Fbref.com.
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