Manchester United have finally brought an end to weeks of speculation, with the club completing a long-anticipated double signing late last night.
The two new arrivals are now scheduled to undergo their medical examinations at Carrington today, officially marking the first reinforcements of Michael Carrick’s evolving project at Old Trafford.
The late-hour breakthrough has sparked optimism among supporters, who see the move as a clear sign of intent after a cautious January window.
United’s recent struggles with squad depth—particularly in midfield—have been well documented. Injuries, fatigue, and a lack of reliable rotation options have exposed weaknesses in the center of the pitch, forcing the club to closely monitor the transfer market.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, United’s head of negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, has spent much of January locked in discussions with agents and clubs, assessing potential short-term and long-term solutions to address the midfield imbalance.
Several familiar names have been linked with a possible move to Old Trafford during this period. Players such as James Garner, João Gomes, Tyler Adams, Wilfred Ndidi, and Rúben Neves were all reportedly considered at various stages.
Despite these discussions, United remained hesitant to pursue any of these options aggressively, largely due to valuation concerns and the club’s broader long-term strategy.
Rather than rushing into a January deal, Manchester United are believed to be planning what has been described internally as a “major surgery” in midfield during the summer transfer window.
The club’s recruitment team has reportedly narrowed its focus to three priority targets: Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton. Each of these players fits the club’s desired profile—young, dynamic, and capable of developing into elite-level midfielders.
However, competition for these targets is intense. In the case of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, United face stiff rivalry from Manchester City, who are also monitoring his situation closely.
The England international is said to be in no rush to make a decision, preferring to assess his options after the World Cup before committing to his next move.
Adam Wharton’s situation is similarly complicated. The Crystal Palace midfielder has attracted serious interest from Liverpool, who are reportedly pushing hard to secure his signature.
This has made United’s pursuit more challenging, forcing the club to carefully weigh its options.
By contrast, Manchester United appear far more confident in their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Reports suggest the club is “relatively relaxed” about the situation, partly because Baleba had already agreed personal terms with United last summer before the deal ultimately fell through. That prior agreement has kept communication lines open between the player and the club.
The Daily Mail further claims that Baleba has privately expressed a strong desire to play at Old Trafford, motivated in part by the opportunity to line up alongside his Cameroon international teammate, Bryan Mbeumo.
Mbeumo, who joined United from Brentford and has enjoyed an excellent start to his career at the club, is reportedly viewed as a mentor figure—a “big brother”—to the 21-year-old midfielder.
United’s hierarchy also believes Brighton may now be willing to negotiate on their valuation. While the Seagulls are said to still rate Baleba at around £100 million, United are confident that a bid closer to £75 million could be enough to seal the deal.
If successful, it would represent a significant step in Carrick’s plan to rebuild United’s midfield with athleticism, youth, and long-term vision at its core.
