The attack has been upgraded with new players such as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. The woodwork has added goalkeeper Senne Lammens, while the defense welcomes Diego Leon.
According to Manchester Evening News and TeamTalk, Manchester United are set to break their transfer record in 2026, with the aim of signing Carlos Baleba and another midfielder in a grand double deal. The midfield will become the focus of reconstruction in the next phase under Ruben Amorim.
Carlos Baleba is the main player in this project. The Cameroonian midfielder is highly appreciated for his physical strength, ability to block and regulate the playing style. For Ruben Amorim, Baleba is a modern anchor, capable of replacing Casemiro, a veteran who has passed his peak and will likely leave Old Trafford in 2026.
In fact, Man United approached Brighton in the summer of 2025 regarding the Baleba deal. According to The Athletic, the two sides even reached a personal deal with Baleba in August but Brighton immediately refused.
M.U's contact with Brighton this summer is not necessarily to ask to buy immediately, it is also to affirm long-term interest. The club are willing to spend more than £100 million to complete the deal, thereby breaking the transfer record they had set for Paul Pogba in 2016.
Along with Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace is also a bright name. While Baleba brought strength and defensive ability from a distance, Wharton stood out with his calmness, intelligence and ability to control the tempo of the match. Wharton can play as a number 8, participating in ball circulation or dropping deep when necessary.
In that picture, Kobbie Mainoo becomes an irreplaceable factor. trained in Carrington, the 20-year-old midfielder has proven his remarkable maturity and possesses rare qualities such as creativity, the ability to handle in tight spaces and a persistent competitive spirit.
Ruben Amorim had considered letting Mainoo go on loan in the summer transfer window but in the end kept it. It was a strategic decision, because with Baleba and Wharton by his side, Mainoo would become the core to help the "Red Devils" operate smoothly.
To pave the way for the 2026 plan, Man United must solve two big problems named Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. Casemiro has declined in form despite his experience and is one of the highest paid players at the club. The possibility of him leaving Europe to go to the Saudi Pro League, MLS or return to Brazil to play is growing.
Meanwhile, Bruno is still the spiritual leader but his future is uncertain. The Man United captain also received a lot of attention from Saudi Arabian teams last summer but he refused because he wanted to continue playing at the top. However, Bruno's role is also becoming a big problem in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 formation. If a solution is not found, the Portuguese star is likely to leave Old Trafford next summer.
The sight of the trio of Baleba - Wharton - Mainoo standing side by side brought great excitement to fans. They converge all the elements to create a balanced and comprehensive midfield such as strength, control, creativity and fighting spirit. In addition, the ages of all 3 are still very young and can develop even more in the future.
More importantly, these are not just 3 outstanding individuals, they can complement each other, make up for their weaknesses and promote their strengths. Compared to famous contracts in the past such as Pogba or Fred, this prospect shows a tactical connection that Man United has been searching for for many years.
All plans depend on current achievements. Man United need to return to the European arena to increase their appeal in the transfer market. However, even when it failed, INEOS still showed strong determination to invest to bring M.U back to the top.
Ready to spend more than £100 million on Baleba, combined with the possibility of recruiting Wharton, Man United are sending a message of preparing for a real rebirth. If everything goes on schedule, 2026 could become an important milestone for the Old Trafford team.
