After years of expensive gambles on players who took forever to adapt, club appear to have settled on a working system
Manchester United’s recruitment strategy under Michael Carrick is beginning to take shape.
The interim coach was given a permanent appointment at the end of the season and now the next big step is to back him in the market. The club’s decision to prioritise players with proven Premier League experience last summer delivered encouraging results, and chief executive Omar Berrada has now made it clear that the approach is likely to continue.
It is a good decision. After years of expensive gambles on players who took forever to adapt, most never doing so, United appear to have settled on a working system.
At this stage the club is not fully conducive to adaptation for players. Things will immediately turn toxic the moments results turn sour and Fulltime Herald dares any player to improve and play their best football in those circumstances. It is much better to have players ready to perform immediately, while adding a sprinkling of talent who can then develop gradually around them.
The arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha from Premier League clubs Brentford and Wolves, respectively, provided immediate value. Both arrived with a clear understanding of the league’s demands, its intensity and tactical requirements.
United were then able to reach overseas for talents to develop alongside them, namely Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
Berrada said this week that United’s recruitment department sees that as a strategy worth repeating.
“The template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways,” Berrada said on the club’s Inside Carrington podcast on Thursday. “You always go into a window and you don’t know how you’re going to come out of it.
“You have to be really prepared. You have to have a clear plan and know exactly what positions you’re looking to strengthen.
“We have a clear plan. I think what we saw last season is a good way forward for us, which is we want a mix of experience and youth.
“We want a mix of players who have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also players who are doing very well outside the Premier League.
“We will always do it within our terms and ensuring that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also the long term.”
“We have a clear plan… but we also have to prepare for any eventuality.”
Omar outlines the key factors for United in the summer transfer market ⬇️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 4, 2026
United have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazil international Ederson. According to people familiar with the club’s thinking, the former Atalanta player is on the third tier of three midfielders United are targeting this summer.
On the second tier is West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with two years of experience in the Premier League, during which time he has emerged as one of the most promising young midfielders in the league, comfortable in possession and capable of operating in several midfield roles. United are exploring a deal for him.
United are also monitoring Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as a tier-one midfield signing. The former Newcastle United academy graduate is highly rated. Another name under consideration at that level is Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. The attraction to both is obvious, although it might cost United a figure very close to £100m to sign any one of them.
“I am quite optimistic and I think we are in a very good position,” Berrada said. “We’re in a good place after a difficult period. We’re heading in the right direction. We have the right people in place.
“We have the right ingredients and right ecosystem around the club to put us in a position where I think we’ll be very successful.”
A transfer window can be topsy-turvy and pull out all kinds of surprises, but United’s window is certainly one worth watching.
