Regardless of whether Michael Carrick takes charge in the summer, Manchester United will undoubtedly be looking to Sir Alex Ferguson’s blueprint for a successful team.
United have not reached dizzying heights this season, but last summer’s transfer strategy made more sense. Benjamin Sesco was signed from the Bundesliga, but INEOS turned to the Premier League, signing two of the division’s biggest stars in Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo.
While Sesco is showing glimpses of what he can do, Cunha and Mbeumo look like the best signings in years. The latter has been particularly strong, scoring 10 goals in 22 games this season.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and others have their way, a similar strategy is likely to be implemented within the next few months.
How Manchester United plans to strengthen next summer
One of Manchester United’s biggest priorities will be strengthening their midfield. Casemiro has left Old Trafford and Manuel Ugarte is unlikely to stay for long.
This explains his links with high-profile players such as Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s World Cup midfielder Elliott Anderson. However, you can’t have both. United don’t have infinite money.
They will likely look to strengthen their frontline again elsewhere, but adding players from Wolverhampton Wanderers could very well kill two birds with one stone.
In fact, reports from Spain suggest United are in a two-way bid to sign talented Wolves teenager Matheus Mane.
Mane signed for the Old Gold aged 16 but really broke onto the scene in the 2025/26 season, attracting praise from some of England’s biggest clubs.
Both Liverpool and United are said to be interested, but the Anfield outfit currently appear to be the front-runners given the talks they have held.
However, the Red Devils are fans and are said to be likely to need a £50m bid to sign the 18-year-old this summer.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history
Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Their hopes of striking a deal will no doubt increase if the Midlands side suffer relegation from the top flight.
Why Mane would be a good signing for Man United
When Sir Alex was in charge of this great football club, his modus operandi was very much about signing the best talent in the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney, who is clearly of a higher level than Mane at the same age, is perhaps the most appropriate example in this case as United seek to sign one of the best teenagers in English football.
Mane was unknown to many at the start of the season, but he has been a bright spot in what has been a generally poor season for Wolves so far.
He scored two goals and provided two assists in 15 Premier League games, winning the club’s Player of the Month award for the second consecutive month.
So what can he offer? good, Words from former Wolves manager Vitor Pereirahe is a “special” talent. There aren’t many players of his age who make that much of an impact in the English top flight, but he looks really exciting.
Like Cunha, he will not only come from Wolves but also bring the versatility of playing right across the front line, similar to Manchester United’s Brazilian sensation.
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Cunha has primarily played on the left, but can also play as a striker or as a back nine. The mane is also cut from a similar cloth.
During his breakout period at Molineux, the youngster played in four different positions. He operates as a central midfielder, and his work rate has been impressive, allowing him to play as an attacking midfielder, as a striker and as a winger.
Money by position in 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
position | game | goals and assists |
attacking midfield | 12 | 5 |
center forward | 5 | 2 |
central midfield | 5 | 3 |
right wing | 2 | 2 |
left wing | 1 | 0 |
Wolves and Wolves U21 stats | ||
Like Cunha, he is also agile and can dance around his enemies. So far this season, he has attempted 3.4 dribbles per game, with 1.1 of them being successful.
To put these numbers into context, no player in the Wolves or United teams has attempted more. Amad is taking 3.2 attempts per game and Cunha is taking 2.8 attempts.
In fact, he ranks 17th overall in the division in this metric, a top that only some of the league’s top players can reach. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku leads the list, with Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Morgan Rodgers and Antoine Semenyo also in the top 10.
So, like Cunha, he’s something of a maverick. He is unpredictable and has the ability to carry the ball forward and influence play from multiple areas on the pitch.
Signing a teenager for £50m this summer may not seem like the best use of money, but there’s no denying Mane’s obvious talent and quality.
INEOS preparing £80m move for Manchester United’s next Antoine Semenyo
Manchester United appear to be preparing to sign a star player in the Premier League this summer.
