Manchester United’s transfer window and early season form have become the talk of the football world, as the club juggles high-profile signings, internal debates, and a stuttering start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulling the strings behind the scenes and Ruben Amorim striving to find his best starting eleven, the Red Devils’ fortunes remain as unpredictable as ever.
Heading into the summer of 2025, Manchester United’s transfer priorities were clear: bolster the attack after Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for just seven Premier League goals in the previous season. It was a figure that simply didn’t cut it for a club with United’s ambitions. The pressure was on to land a marquee striker, and the search was anything but straightforward.
United chased several targets, missing out on both Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres before finally securing Benjamin Sesko for a hefty £74 million. The Slovenian forward chose Old Trafford over Newcastle United, a move that raised expectations and, perhaps, eyebrows across the league. The signing brought United’s summer spending to over £230 million, but questions remained about squad depth and experience, particularly up front.
One of the more intriguing storylines was the club’s reported consideration of bringing back academy graduate Danny Welbeck. Now 34 and enjoying a renaissance at Brighton with ten Premier League goals in 2024-25, Welbeck was seen by some at United as the perfect blend of experience, technical quality, and club heritage. According to The Athletic, “Welbeck’s impressive form last season sparked fresh interest from Man Utd, who ‘considered making a proposal of a contract until 2027 should they agree a fee with Brighton’.”
Welbeck’s long history with United—having spent 16 years at the club and risen through the youth ranks—made the prospect of a return all the more compelling. Some figures at the club believed his presence could steady the ship and provide valuable mentorship to the younger strikers.
But Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS supremo now overseeing United’s football operations, had reservations. With Welbeck turning 35 in November, Ratcliffe was unwilling to sanction a two-year deal. The club considered a one plus one year contract, but ultimately, no formal offer was made. As The Athletic reported, “He would have been a relatively low-cost arrival to complement a marquee signing. But Ratcliffe was known to feel United could not sanction a two-year deal for a player who is 35 in November and instead a one plus one was discussed, but the offer was not formalised.”
Welbeck wasn’t the only name on United’s radar. The club also weighed up a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was available on a free transfer. Technical director Jason Wilcox reportedly felt Calvert-Lewin could be a useful deputy, but again, United decided against making a proposal. Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth was another alternative, but with a £70 million price tag, the move was deemed too expensive. In the end, United’s transfer dealings left some fans wondering what might have been, especially with the club’s attack still searching for consistency.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, United’s early season struggles have been hard to ignore. After four matches in the 2025-26 Premier League season, the Red Devils have managed just one win—a nervy 3-2 victory over Burnley, in which they twice surrendered the lead before clinching all three points. The result did little to quell concerns about the team’s defensive frailties and lack of cohesion.
United’s midfield has been a particular area of concern, with new recruit Manuel Ugarte finding it tough to adapt to English football. The 24-year-old Uruguayan, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, has yet to start a Premier League game this season. His only start came in the Carabao Cup, a humiliating defeat to Grimsby Town, where he was substituted at halftime. To make matters worse, Ugarte wasn’t even on the bench for the Burnley win.
Ugarte has not shied away from self-critique. Speaking to El Observador on September 2, 2025, he admitted, “We haven’t started the season very well. My level wasn’t the best either, we have to be realistic and honest. But I’m very confident, I have a very good relationship with the coach. I work well and I’m very excited and eager to earn a starting spot.”
It’s a refreshingly honest assessment from a player under pressure. Ugarte’s struggle to acclimatise has left his future in doubt, with some at the club reportedly fearing he could be sold next summer if he doesn’t step up. Rasmus Hojlund, after two underwhelming seasons, was sent back to Italy—a fate Ugarte will be desperate to avoid. United’s midfield, already under scrutiny, could certainly use a rejuvenated Ugarte, especially as manager Ruben Amorim continues to search for the right formula.
Amorim himself faces a test of his managerial mettle. After a slow start, he’s tasked with assembling a team that can compete at the highest level week in, week out. The upcoming Manchester derby, scheduled for Sunday, September 14, looms large—a potential turning point for United’s campaign. Fans are hopeful that the international break will give the squad a chance to regroup, reset, and return with renewed purpose.
Behind the scenes, United’s recruitment strategy reflects a delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism. The club’s refusal to commit to long-term deals for aging stars, as seen with the Welbeck saga, signals a shift towards sustainability under Ratcliffe’s stewardship. At the same time, the willingness to spend big—£74 million on Sesko, for instance—demonstrates that United remain intent on competing for the game’s biggest prizes.
The question remains: can this blend of youth, experience, and new leadership yield the results United’s supporters crave? The answer, as ever, will play out on the pitch—and with the Manchester derby just around the corner, the next chapter in this storied club’s journey is about to unfold.
For now, Manchester United fans must wait and see if the summer’s decisions—both made and unmade—will pay dividends as the season progresses. With pressure mounting and expectations sky-high, all eyes are on Old Trafford as the Red Devils look to turn things around.
