Ultimate Review of Manchester United’s Summer Transfer Business 2025 | OneFootball

The transfer window is now closed which means it is time for one thing; a review of Manchester United summer transfer business.

This has been a conversation on social media all summer; did Manchester United do well? Did they fill the team needs? Was it a successful transfer window? Was it a failure? In this article, I will try to grade it objectively, something that is always difficult in the world of extremes that is Manchester United fanbase.

Addressing the Lack of Goals

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

The Manchester United board entered this summer intent on one thing: fixing the team major issue which is a lack of goals. In came Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and off went Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.

The mix of what Manchester United did was very good. Signing two versatile Premier League attackers that fit in Amorim system but also can play in other systems if Amorim leaves is a fantastic business. The prices were reasonable too considering what was seen in the market.

Adding to Mbuemo and Cunha, the Red Devils signed one of the best young strikers in the world in Benjamin Sesko. It is a good match of mixing proven players with a young talent to make his life easier. The impact of Mbuemo and Cunha has already been clear to see and they both look like astute signings.

Overall, it looks like the Red Devils have fixed their attack for years to come which is what the board was intent on doing.

The Gk Issue

Most fans would have known before the start of the transfer window that Manchester United will need a GK. Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir performances have been shaky at best.

Yet, it looked like the club was stuck between opting for the young GK option in Senne Lammens and the experienced ready made option in Emiliano Martinez. It is so difficult for a club carrying four GKs especially in a World Cup year and for a team that plays on one front.

While the signing of Lammens signals the intent on fixing the issue of the GK long term, still the issue may have cost United at least 1 point in the league and getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

Yet, how late the signing was which did not give Lammens a chance for a pre season and the indecision surrounding whether to go for a young or an experienced GK is what lowers the grade for me. Yet, credit should be given for fixing the issue hopefully long term and not panicking into making the wrong signing.

Not Addressing the Midfield

Oh, where do I start? Get on social media and you will see how much the midfield issue was talked about. A lot of points have been made too that the players United were interested in are different profiles (Baleba, Stiller and Wharton were the most frequent names mentioned).

A lot of people said that the different profiles signal indecision and the lack of coherent planning but it is not how I see it. Under INEOS management, Manchester United have taken the approach of scooping talent whenever they are available. Also, the different profiles issue is normal and expected, Eriksen already left, Casemiro will leave next summer and Bruno Fernandes will most likely be leaving too.

So, yes Manchester United will need different profiles not a one specific profile because they are searching for replacements for three players with three different characteristics. It was always very strange how people are seeing the different profiles thing as an issue and not actually seeing it as scooping whoever is available and coming back next January/summer to sign the remaining pieces.

Credit also has to be given for not panicking and making the wrong signing which would have stopped Manchester United from signing the right player when they become available.

Sales

Sales have come a little bit late in the window and Manchester United did not start recouping any money except by late August.

A lot has been said on social media regarding Alejandro Garnacho fee but Manchester United have done well here to get an acceptable fee for a player who was banished by the manager, did not want to be here and was intent on only one club.

Getting any money for Antony is a win. Manchester United also maintained a 50% sell on clause on any fee Real Betis receives for him which means that the Red Devils can still get significant money if the Brazilian does well in Spain.

Not recouping any money for Sancho and Rashford (Marcus Rashford still can bring around 30M£ if Barcelona activates the option) is disappointing but clearing around £600K/wk still lowers the pressure on the wage bill and gives Manchester United significant space to continue spending if they wish so in January.

Rasmus Hojlund is a great deal from a Manchester United perspective. Getting a loan fee and an easy conditional obligation with an acceptable fee was a great deal for a player that was clearly out of the club plans.

Overall, sales could have been faster with more fee recouped but also not one of these players have been signed under INEOS management so they have done well with the bad hand they were dealt.

Grade: 7/10.

Final Grade

The attack is fixed and the GK issue is addressed. Not addressing the midfield was a mistake but the intent was there and not signing the wrong profile is refreshing to see after the panic of the past windows.

Sales could have been better of course but good fees were recouped considering the players preferences, wages and the fact that all the world know that Manchester United needed money.

It looked like there were multiple plans ready to be followed which is normal in case of a rebuild as Manchester United does not need one player.

After the window, it feels that Manchester United can put a competent football team on the pitch and have the foundations of a team that grow and gel together.

In January and next Summer, it will be the time for the midfield rebuild and if Manchester United can get players of the same quality as Yoro, Cunha, Mbuemo, De ligt, Sesko in midfield, they will be fine.