Man United Midfield Rebuild: Who Comes Next After Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans? | OneFootball

By Krishnatreya Bhattacharya · July 18, 2026

Manchester United’s remarkable turnaround under Michael Carrick has changed the direction of the club’s summer plans. After Carrick’s January appointment inspired a sensational second half of the 2025/26 season, United secured a third-place Premier League finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League. Now, the focus has shifted towards the Man United midfield transfer targets who could help the Red Devils build on that progress.

Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already arrived to add energy, composure and technical quality to Carrick’s midfield. However, with Casemiro departing and Manuel Ugarte facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, United may still require a physically dominant, defensively reliable midfielder to complete their rebuild. So, which of the club’s reported targets is best equipped to become their third midfield signing of the summer?

Why Manchester United Still Need Another Midfielder

After such an impressive end to the season, Carrick’s men have approached the summer transfer window with a determined plan – to refresh and rebuild the midfield department. After being linked with a plethora of midfielders over the past few months, the Red Devils have confirmed the signing of their first transfer of the summer this week, as Andrey Santos makes the move from Chelsea, with a second midfielder signing following just 5 days later.

Youri Tielemans has joined Manchester United after his 35 million pounds release clause was triggered by Manchester United on Monday morning. The Belgian arrives at Old Trafford after making 134 appearances for Aston Villa and scoring the winning volley in their Europa League final victory.

He has now become their second midfield recruit of the summer. These two additions would significantly change and improve the profile of Manchester United’s midfield, with Santos providing tenacity and energy on and off the ball. At the same time, Tielemans adds experience, composure and an elite passing ability to a department that already contains the exciting Kobbie Mainoo.

Nevertheless, with the exit of Casemiro and a season-ending long-term injury to Manuel Ugarte, the Red Devils’ midfield department still requires another key midfield profile – that of a physically imposing ball winner who is capable of breaking up the play, offering protective coverage and covering vast distances.

Alex Scott: Technical Control and Press Resistance

A move for Alex Scott to pastures new has dominated summer speculation with Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United all having kept tabs on the midfielder. While Scott might not fit the mould of the stereotypical ball-winning, physically domineering central midfielder, he was undeniably one of the star performers of last term’s brilliant Cherries side and his enhanced work out of possession was especially noteworthy.

During the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Scott averaged 12.2 defensive contributions, 6.14 recoveries and 2.55 clearances per 90 minutes. Across 2,859 league minutes, he registered 60 tackles and 36 interceptions, highlighting his increased influence out of possession. According to FotMob, he ranked 11th among Premier League players for defensive contributions per 90.

The ability of Scott to receive the ball under pressure and quickly skip beyond defenders with his exceptional dribbling ability – ranked among the top 14% of midfielders for successful dribbles per 90 last season (0.91) – coupled with his excellent combinations with teammates to progress the ball, could offer solutions for Manchester United at the other end of the pitch too.

Along with his defensive work rate, Scott would provide superb control and technical quality, allowing Carrick to set up to control possession and dominate the game. A deal for Scott will likely not come cheap, with reports indicating an 80m asking price, but Manchester United would undoubtedly be left stronger with the player in their ranks.

Carlos Baleba: The Ideal Ball-Winning Midfielder?

Unlike Scott, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Baleba is far more cut from the cloth of the traditional ball-winning and physically dominant midfielder. Baleba had already established himself as one of the Premier League’s best rising young midfielders during the 2024-25 season, which had drawn interest from several of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Conveniently, Manchester United were one of them, with the Reds thought to be keen to snap Baleba up late last summer, before being put off by the 100m asking price quoted by Brighton.

Baleba’s performance levels dropped slightly during a hit-and-miss 2025-26 season, though, and Brighton are believed to have since lowered their valuation, meaning Manchester United could consider revisiting the deal for Baleba this summer. As well as being a powerful runner with great strength in duels, Baleba is also highly capable of driving through midfield and unlocking defences with his outstanding left foot.

Baleba’s own strengths would enable players like Tielemans and Mainoo to move into more advanced areas and support the likes of Bruno Fernandes.

The 22-year-oldstill possesses plenty of potential, making Baleba another player worth investigating for Manchester United.

Manu Koné: Physicality and Tactical Flexibility

Lastly, Roma’s Kone is another individual who could prove to be a perfect fit for Manchester United’s final midfield acquisition. Kone was heavily linked to many of Europe’s top teams before his surprise move to Roma in 2024, and has again found himself back on the radars of the world’s top sides this summer.

Alongside providing the physicality required in the midfield of the Old Trafford outfit, Kone would add height to a midfield with the 25-year-old standing at 185 cm tall, and clear ability on the ball.

Kone is a strong passer, a good dribbler and can drive forward with the ball, while he is equally capable of sitting deep to protect the primary defensive midfielder. This was perhaps best demonstrated in the 2026 World Cup, where Kone often sat deeper for France than he usually did at Roma, while also still showing glimpses of his attacking qualities.

At international level, Koné has frequently operated alongside or in place of Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was himself linked with Manchester United earlier in the window. That experience has highlighted Koné’s ability to switch between a deeper defensive role and a more progressive box-to-box function. Such tactical flexibility could prove valuable for Michael Carrick, allowing him to adjust the balance of his midfield depending on the opposition.

Mamadou Sangaré: A High-Upside Defensive Option

If you cannot acquire Tchouameni of Real Madrid, go for the next best thing with the defensive appetite he demonstrated before his transfer to the Spanish capital. Therefore, say hello to Mamadou Sangare of Lens, coming off the back of a first full season in Ligue 1, looking like “The Next Big Thing”. The 24-year-old Mali international was immense as Lens’ team nearly wrestled the French title from PSG’s grasp.

What you should read next

Manchester United Yet To Make Decision On Whether To Sign Left-Back Manchester United remain active in the transfer market, as the club aims to add a third midfielder to the squad in the…

He really excels at mopping up any space that a team believes it has breached the press.

The 6’0’ central defensive midfielder has the physical ability to slide in for a 35-yard recovery tackle, but he also possesses the reading of the game necessary to slide over and shut down the pass before a threat develops. Much liketchouameni, Sangare’s tackles are about retainment rather than the ball flying about all over the place. However, where he differs from the Real Madrid midfielder, is in physical stature. The Mali international is a little undersized and often has a tendency to be too enthusiastic with his slide tackles, resulting in silly fouls.

In 2025-26, Sangare was second in Ligue 1 for tackles made (54) and 11th in the division for interceptions (40).

As the visualisation below demonstrates, Sangare is one of the best defensive midfielders in Ligue 1 for the previous season. His talent flourished at the end of the season, contributing two goals and two assists in his last nine appearances for his club. All in all, this is a really promising young footballer who will surely improve with consistent minutes under good coaching.

Sangare is a first responder at the heart of the midfield, detecting danger before the opponent’s attack becomes a serious threat, and would be an asset to any club, defensively as well as offensively. He is the kind of player who would spend two years at a Premier League club and would come with a price tag of over £ 60 million when United register an interest in the summer. Will the club be daring enough to acquire the signature of Sangare before he proves his worth at English football’s elite level?

Adam Wharton: Elite Distribution, but Is He Physical Enough?

The link has gone a bit quiet on this one, but many of the recent Wharton rumours have come from elsewhere. Manchester United simply have to be in there somewhere. Wharton wasn’t named in the England squad for the World Cup, though there is little about the player’s ability to put that down.

It’s now two-and-a-half years since the Blackburn Rovers academy graduate began playing for Crystal Palace in the top flight, where his class in driving the play from the centre of the park has been evident.

On the defensive end, although Wharton has a smart footballing brain and desires to put in effort to win back possession. However, he can be reckless with his pressing at times, stepping out of shape to give chase, but getting drawn into a committed tackle that leaves an enormous amount of space in behind. His desire to win possession can leave space, but he can also be caught out committing fouls or making timid challenges on his own in a press.

The other aspect that can be found as a slight negative is his ability in the air.

Wharton has a low success rate with 34% of aerial duels won, putting him in the bottom 15% of Premier League players. Primarily down to his frame and height. Training can be somewhat difficult to change completely, but a good coach should recognise this and complement his playing style with another, more physical partner. None of these can be described as a real significant weakness, though.

Eduardo Camavinga: United’s Dream Midfield Signing

Camavinga enjoyed another strong season with Real Madrid, continuing to establish himself as one of La Liga’s most talented and versatile central midfielders. The 23-year-old made 43 appearances in all competitions last term, scoring twice and providing one assist.

Given his technical quality, athleticism and ability to operate in several midfield roles, it is easy to understand why Manchester United have reportedly shown an interest in the France international.

His contract with the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is due to expire in the summer of 2029, which might hinder Man United from bringing him to their club the cheap this off-season,

Camavinga is a good front foot tackler of the ball and is alert enough to win it back for his team from deep inside their own half. Tends to be a great one for putting his foot through the ball while the opposition play in front of him and is an accurate passer too.

For France he’s mainly a box-to-box midfielder although he could also play in the holding role or as a wide left player if instructed to by the head coach. Camavinga can also score and create a few goals here and there, but there are doubts over whether he will be able to deal with the physical and frenetic pace of the Premier League if United succeed in signing him in the near future.

Camavinga would add considerable quality, versatility and depth to Michael Carrick’s midfield options at Old Trafford. He is capable of competing for a regular starting place and could operate as a holding midfielder, a box-to-box presence or even on the left when required.

Still only 23, Camavinga is entering what should be the prime years of his career, making him an attractive long-term target for United. However, his importance to Real Madrid and the likely cost of any deal mean securing his signature would represent one of the club’s most ambitious moves of the summer.

Which Midfielder Should Manchester United Sign?

Manchester United have already taken significant strides towards rebuilding their midfield with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, adding energy, technical quality and experience to Michael Carrick’s squad. However, if the club are to establish themselves as genuine Premier League title challengers and compete deep into the UEFA Champions League, one final midfield addition remains essential.

Whether United prioritise the all-round quality of Alex Scott, the physical dominance of Carlos Baleba, the versatility of Manu Koné, the defensive intelligence of Mamadou Sangare, the composure of Adam Wharton or the world-class potential of Eduardo Camavinga, each player offers attributes capable of complementing Kobbie Mainoo and elevating the balance of the midfield.

Of the six candidates, Carlos Baleba appears to be the most natural fit. His physicality, ball-winning and ability to carry possession through midfield would give United the balance required to allow Tielemans, Mainoo, Andrey Santos and Bruno Fernandes greater freedom further forward.

The final decision will ultimately depend on Carrick’s tactical vision, the club’s budget and market opportunities. One thing is certain, though: securing the right defensive midfielder could be the final piece of the puzzle in transforming Manchester United from a team on the rise into one capable of consistently challenging for the biggest honours in English and European football.