Manchester United’s summer plans are beginning to take shape, with both internal options and external targets being assessed
With Manchester United in good form, fans could be forgiven for wanting to savour the moment. But as the season edges towards its final stages, attention is inevitably turning to the upcoming summer transfer window.
Exactly which coach will be overseeing United’s recruitment efforts is still unclear, though Michael Carrick has put himself in pole position after inspiring a run of seven wins in 10 matches since replacing Ruben Amorim as interim boss in January. They aren’t expected to go crazy, particularly after splurging over £250million on players last summer, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arriving to revamp United’s front-line.
This summer, midfield reinforcements will likely take priority. Casemiro has already confirmed he’ll be leaving the club at the end of the season, the long-term future of Kobbie Mainoo is still undecided, and doubts continue to linger over the likes of Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte.
But additions are likely to be made all over the pitch – especially if Rio Ferdinand gets his wish (more on that below). The key question is whether the club will look outward or inward – with the likes of JJ Gabriel turning heads in the academy – as the next phase of their rebuild takes shape. With that in mind, here are the latest Man United-related headlines.
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JJ Gabriel decision made
Manchester United are planning to include JJ Gabriel in their pre-season squad this summer, underlining just how highly the 15-year-old is rated at the club. Already considered one of the most promising young talents in the country, Gabriel has stood out for United’s U18s this season.
His progress has not gone unnoticed by senior figures, including Carrick, who has watched him closely in recent weeks. The teenager is now being lined up for a place on the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of Europe, with discussions ongoing over a schedule that could take in Scandinavia and other destinations.
The Red Devils are determined to map out a clear pathway into the first team for their brightest academy prospects, and Gabriel’s inclusion in the tour is a strong indicator of their belief in his potential. He is unlikely to be the only youth player involved, particularly with several senior squad members expected to miss the early stages of pre-season due to World Cup commitments.
Gabriel has been in prolific form, scoring 21 goals in 23 appearances for the U18s this season. He has already trained with the first-team on several occasions, with Carrick describing him as a “big talent.”
Whether this early exposure signals a place in the senior squad next season remains to be seen, but Gabriel now has a platform to follow in the footsteps Arsenal’s Max Dowman, who earned a pre-season opportunity aged 15 last summer before progressing into the first-team setup.
Ferdinand outlines transfer wish list
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has outlined what he believes would represent a successful summer transfer window for the club, calling for four key additions: a forward, a full back and two midfielders.
Ferdinand argues that a “realistic” window would not require a complete overhaul, but rather targeted improvements – particularly in midfield – alongside added depth up front and at full back. While he sees value in bringing in another striker to provide competition for Sesko, he insists that strengthening the centre of the pitch should be the main priority.
“If United go and get four players in the next window and two of those are starters, then I think that’s a realistic transfer window,” Ferdinand said on his podcast. “If I was the club, my priorities would be two central midfielders, one who starts and maybe a younger one who you can blood in here and there around Bruno [Fernandes], Kobbie [Mainoo] and the one you bring in.
“I would also go for another forward, a younger one who is going to be more of a back-up to what we’ve already got. And I would go for a full-back. That’s it. I know you can say you want 10 new players and most positions can be improved but I don’t think you need a huge revamp, it’s still a lot but that’s realistic.”
Several midfielders have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton all reportedly on the club’s radar. However, Ferdinand was clear about which man he would prioritise.
“Beginning of the season everyone was talking about [Carlos] Baleba, he seems to have gone off the boil a little bit form wise. Elliot Anderson, he seems to have jumped to the front of the queue. I think he’s a wonderful player.”
He added: “I think he is the right type not only of player but character, I think he’d be a good addition to the squad… I just think the type of midfielder United need is somebody who is all-action, who can cover ground, who is dynamic, who is robust, strong, who can drive a team. Right now Anderson seems to be ticking those boxes.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
