October 22, 2025
As the autumn leaves swirl around Old Trafford, Manchester United fans are daring to dream again. Fresh off a gritty 2-1 victory at Anfield against rivals Liverpool—complete with Harry Maguire's dramatic late winner—the Red Devils sit precariously in mid-table, but the buzz is undeniable. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, who's masterfully shouldered the pressure to let his squad breathe, United are plotting a squad evolution. With the January window looming and summer 2026 already in the scouts' notebooks, transfer whispers are turning into roars. From midfield maestros to wonderkid gambles, here's the latest on United's wheeling and dealing.
Harry Maguire: The Unlikely Hero Seals His Future
In a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Harry Maguire—once the butt of memes and transfer exit rumors—has emerged as Amorim's defensive rock. His towering header in the 84th minute against Liverpool not only silenced Anfield but also reignited talks of a contract extension. Sources close to the club reveal Maguire is ready to slash his £190k weekly wage to around £130k-£140k to commit until at least 2027, with an option for another year. This isn't just loyalty; it's smart business. With Maguire's resurgence—his last six goals for United all clutch interventions—the 32-year-old has proven he's no dead weight.
Amorim, praising the veteran's leadership, has shielded him from the bench experiments that plagued early-season woes. "He takes the pressure off us," echoed new signing Senne Lammens, the £18.1m Belgian keeper who's already lauding the Portuguese tactician's calm demeanor. If Maguire inks the deal, it could pave the way for defensive tweaks elsewhere, but for now, he's the glue holding Amorim's backline together.
Midfield Revolution: Hjulmand, Baleba, and Bellingham on the Horizon
United's engine room remains the glaring weak spot, with Casemiro's contract set to expire and Manuel Ugarte struggling to ignite. Enter Morten Hjulmand, the Danish dynamo from Amorim's old stomping ground at Sporting Lisbon. Reports suggest United are "optimistic" about landing the 25-year-old for £50m in January, viewing him as the ideal pivot to anchor their 3-4-3 system. Hjulmand's tenacity and passing range could finally unlock Kobbie Mainoo's box-to-box brilliance, especially as Real and Atletico Madrid circle the teenage sensation.
But Hjulmand isn't alone on the wishlist. Carlos Baleba, the Cameroonian powerhouse at Brighton, tops the summer hit list at a whopping £90m-£100m, despite a January exit being "completely ruled out." United's failed summer bid hasn't deterred them; scouts rave about his athleticism as a Casemiro upgrade. Joining the fray are Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton—both Premier League-proven and affordable—for a potential double swoop. Borussia Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham, the 19-year-old sibling of Jude, rounds out the prospects, though he's reportedly struggling in Germany.
Amorim's verdict? No panic buys in January—he's ruled out major moves unless injuries force his hand. Instead, eyes are on free agents like Bayern's Aleksandar Pavlović for a defensive midfield fix.
| Target | Position | Club | Potential Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morten Hjulmand | DM | Sporting CP | £50m | January 2026 |
| Carlos Baleba | CM | Brighton | £90m-£100m | Summer 2026 |
| Elliot Anderson | CM | Nottingham Forest | £40m-£50m | Summer 2026 |
| Adam Wharton | CM | Crystal Palace | £50m | Summer 2026 |
| Jobe Bellingham | CM | Borussia Dortmund | £30m-£40m | Summer 2026 |
Striker Shuffle: Toney Temptation and Endrick's Exile Dream
Up top, Joshua Zirkzee's integration has been slow, fueling Roma loan rumors, but Amorim insists on patience. Enter Brentford's Ivan Toney: a "surprise move" for an experienced England striker, potentially on loan in January to add bite. The 29-year-old's physicality could complement summer arrival Benjamin Sesko, signed to spearhead the attack.
The juiciest rumor? A January loan for Real Madrid's Endrick, the Brazilian "next Ronaldo" who's reportedly "desperate" for minutes. At 19, he'd be a high-risk, high-reward gamble, echoing United's youth-focused rebuild. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes' future hangs in balance—Bayern Munich have swerved due to his wages, and MLS/Saudi links simmer. Selling the captain could fund the midfield spree, but Amorim values his creativity too highly.
Summer Reflections: Hits, Misses, and the Road Ahead
Flashback to the chaotic 2025 summer: United shipped out big names like Marcus Rashford (to Barcelona), Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea, £50m valuation), Antony (Real Betis), and Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli loan with buy obligation). In came Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens—bold bets on youth and versatility that Troy Deeney called a "complete upgrade." Fans adore the haul, but early stumbles exposed the midfield void.
Looking ahead, United's first 2026 signing is already locked: Colombian teen Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza for $1m, arriving next summer as a long-term gem. Add interest in Championship wonderkids and a potential Dayot Upamecano freebie as Maguire insurance, and Amorim's vision is crystallizing.
As Roy Keane quips, this Anfield win could be the "turning point" Amorim needs. With INEOS backing the rebuild—no more Klopp-style "galactico" pitfalls—the Red Devils are plotting not just survival, but revival. January will test the waters, but summer 2026? That's when Old Trafford roars back to life. Glory awaits—for those who believe.
