"Midfield Revamp and £1M Wage Savings: Why Manchester United Might Face Their Biggest Transfer Window Ever"

IF Manchester United had won those daft draws and defeat to ten-man Everton, they would be top.

If had not dropped points at Burnley last month, they would not necessarily have played out of their skins against Manchester City in their next Premier League fixture.

The United hierarchy will come under more pressure in the summerCredit: Reuters Carrick has lifted United up to fourthCredit: GETTY

But, analysing the missed opportunities against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Wolves and Burnley, United dropped 15 points. Add that to their haul and they would have more than Arsenal.

That shows how swiftly United can finally mount a title challenge if they continue to get their recruitment right.

Going off their summer business, they have a 75 per cent hit rate. Matheus Cunha, and Senne Lammens have all been hits. Benjamin Sesko has hit the back of the net four times in four games since was sacked.

Whether or not the Champions League anthem is played at Old Trafford again next season, United will go big for a new midfielder.

The scheduled will free up more than £300,000 on the weekly wage bill.

will also be released, which means £250,000 more in weekly savings.

If goes permanently – and the expectation remains that he will – then that is another £325,000 off the books.

That would leave United with nearly £1million in weekly wages to redistribute to new signings.

United have readjusted their salary structure so that Bruno Fernandes, their captain and best player, is their highest earner.

The gauntlet has been thrown down to current players: if you want a steep salary rise, try and match the phenomenal form of Fernandes.

Fernandes remains United’s most important playerCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

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would struggle to command half of Casemiro’s salary. Scott, who transferred to Bournemouth from Championship side Bristol City as a teenager, is on around £30,000-a-week.

Each of the three would fetch a pretty penny if or when they leave, particularly Anderson as he is an England starter.

But United have ample headroom to make multiple additions in midfield and will need to. Without Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and the jinxing Manuel Ugarte are their only outright central midfielders.

Amorim said during his pre-season tour sit-down that Cunha and Mbeumo were players his replacement would be glad to inherit.

Cunha and Mbeumo have got 15 goals between them this seasonCredit: AFP

Whether Michael Carrick’s contract extends beyond this season or United head-hunt a more proven head coach, they stand to take charge of a promising squad.

United director of football Jason Wilcox will fill in the gaps in midfield and inform coaching candidates where else the club intends to strengthen.

Wilcox had an inkling trouble could be brewing with Amorim a month before the Portuguese was sacked, so there has been no danger of United stockpiling players for a 3-4-2-1 system.

It is a tricky summer for United to navigate beyond the transfer market. They ideally need to settle on and appoint a new head coach before the season ends.

Wilcox saw off AmorimCredit: Getty

The World Cup also finishes on July 19, the latest the final to be staged since 1966. So time is of the essence to finalise signings

United’s goalkeeping department will have to be bolstered. Number two Altay Bayindir is out of contract next year and Tom Heaton, who turns 40 in April, has entered the final five months of his deal.

United may have to be patient in finding a new home for Andre Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor.

The 29-year-old is optimistically banking on a return to Inter Milan, who could let go of veteran Yann Sommer in the summer.

The steadiness of Senne Lammens ensures there is no way back for Andre OnanaCredit: Alamy

Radek Vitek has been in outstanding form for Bristol City in the Championship and could come back into the goalkeeping fold.

United have already shipped 36 goals this season and while their defence will not be a priority, it is likely to be reinforced.

It has gone quiet on a new contract for Harry Maguire, impressive against Arsenal and Manchester City before a regressive afternoon against Fulham.

Maguire has suffered several injury issues in the past two years and turns 33 in March. It is not the strongest bargaining position with a miser like Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Maguire has entered the final five months of his contractCredit: Getty

Yet United have improved since Maguire’s return three weeks ago. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, aged 20 and 19, were error-prone during Maguire’s two-month absence with a thigh problem.

United are well stocked at full back but need to decide on whether to keep or sell loanee Harry Amass, whose .

Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw are the longest-serving players in the United squad. Upgrading one side is essential if United are to become genuine challengers.

but a summer sale is probable, possibly back to Italy.

Zirkzee has been a mismatch at UnitedCredit: Getty

United bought Zirkzee for two reasons: he had a release clause and is Dutch. He was supposed to support Rasmus Hojlund but it turned out he is not a striker.

Sesko has looked like Hojlund at times this season and this regime can ill-afford to cut corners again with another new forward.

United executives were borderline blase about Fernandes’ future last year yet his influence is more profound than ever. Securing Champions League football would maybe secure his future.

Fernandes, 31, has an agreement with United that he can move to an overseas club for £57m. Hardly any European club would be prepared to invest in what would be roughly a £100m contract package plus wages. The Saudi ship might have sailed for Fernandes, whose United deal has a final expiry date of 2028.

Palmer arriving at Old Trafford – with Chelsea in SeptemberCredit: Getty

If these final months are Fernandes’ United swansong, then . Chelsea regard Palmer as untouchable, though.

United have just strung three league wins together for only the second time since February 2024.

Suddenly, third-placed Aston Villa – only five points better off – are catchable. City are merely six points clear of United.

United had a wobble against Fulham but there can be no excuses over the final 14 games.

Failing to qualify for the Champions League would be a failure for United. If United scale to third, the top-two is not such a wild target for next term.

And then you might as well aim for the top.