Has this season been the perfect, much-needed reset for Manchester United, or will a top-five spot ultimately mean little, ahead of further setbacks next term?
All that remains to be determined, but what is clear is that INEOS are heading into a pivotal summer, both in terms of naming the next permanent manager and reinforcing an improving but declining squad at Old Trafford.
As the defeat against Leeds United showed, if you remove just a handful of vital cogs, the machine simply stops working, and once the hapless Manuel Ugarte is on the pitch, the Red Devils endure a clear setback.
Ugarte – 25/26 PL start | |
|---|---|
they will object | result |
Leeds (H) | 1-2 (large) |
Burnley (A) | 2-2(D) |
Leeds (A) | 1-1(D) |
Wolves (H) | 1-1(D) |
Newcastle (H) | 1-0(W)) |
Villa (A) | 2-1(L) |
Brentford (A) | 3-1(L) |
Man City (A) | 3-0(loss) |
The Uruguayan’s record of just one win in his last 10 starts has not been up to par, and the signing of another elite midfielder will be essential, especially with Casemiro due to join this summer.
Manchester United already agree personal terms with £50m midfielder
Much of 2026 has been dominated by talk of either Elliott Anderson or Sandro Tonali heading to Manchester, but this week it was reported that Real Madrid’s Aurelien Choameny is also on INEOS’ summer shortlist.
The Frenchman, who was chosen to replace Casemiro at the Bernabéu in 2022, could also become the ex-Madrid man’s successor at Old Trafford, despite being a regular for Los Blancos this season.
As The Athletic’s Rory Whitwell pointed out, the 26-year-old has been “discussed” in United’s recruitment meetings, but it remains to be seen whether the La Liga side could benefit from the prospect of Choameni signing a new contract instead.
As Whitwell points out, the former Monaco player is just one of a number of players on the shortlist, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleva, who was keen on a move last summer, also being considered again.
Indeed, Whitwell revealed that although Tony Bloom’s offer of £100 million plus offer proved prohibitive, personal terms were “agreed in principle” with the Cameroonian.
United are said to be currently in the ‘lower category’ of midfield targets with the 22-year-old, but they hope their transfer fee of almost £50m will get them plenty of bang for their buck.
Why Baleva could be the perfect replacement for Choameni
With Koby Mainu blossoming again after his ‘best’ performance under Michael Carrick last time out, adding a new No. 6 to support him will be a priority rather than a No. 8 to replace him.
Ranking: Premier League’s best midfielders (2025/26)
Is anyone approaching Bruno Fernandes now?
If that happens, someone like Choameni would be the perfect pick, with the World Cup finalist previously hailed as “one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet”.
Recruiting such elite and experienced talent isn’t easy, and it certainly won’t come cheap, with United spending £70m to sign the aging Casemiro from Madrid just four years ago.
With that in mind, signing an equally dominant and high-potential talent like Valeva for a potential £50m cut would be the perfect alternative, even if the Seagulls’ star man survives the mix on the south coast.
The former Lille star, who may have been influenced by his United links, has looked far from his best in the early weeks of the season, having been substituted at half-time in three of his first seven league games.
Since returning from AFCON duty, Baleva has not been able to secure a starting role week in and week out, and United are certainly betting on the job so far in 2024/25.
However, this was a truly breakout season for him, starting 31 games and notably averaging 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game, as well as 5.8 ball recoveries per game.
For comparison, in La Liga this season, Choameni has a similar record of 3.3 tackles and interceptions and 4.4 recoveries in 27 starts.
Neither are elite creators or goalscorers, but they are capable of spectacular efforts, especially from distance.
They also provide a real clinical pillar in front of the back four, with Baleva boasting an 88% passing accuracy last season, just below the Frenchman’s average of 91% in 2025/26.
Both were schooled in Ligue 1 with Lille and Monaco respectively and have since gone on to bigger and brighter spells, with Baleva perhaps ready for the next step in his career at 22 – the same age as Choameni was when he moved to Madrid.
It remains to be seen whether frugal manager Bloom will approve a ‘cut-value’ deal for Baleva, but United have already taken a step towards that possibility, given that personal terms are unlikely to be an issue.
Manchester United officials write check direct to sign new Mainou player for £39m
Manchester United are currently making moves to sign a midfield reinforcement who could become the next Koby Mainu.
