Are these Manchester United's summer transfer priorities?

Manchester United’s 2026-27 rebuild is already taking shape behind the scenes, and the Talk of the Devils team has spent the international break mapping out what the club’s hierarchy believe must be addressed once the window opens. The conclusion, after three dedicated podcast episodes on midfield, attack, defence and goalkeeping, is that midfield remains the single most urgent theatre of operations – and that the scale of the overhaul could yet stretch to a £140 million double swoop.

Casemiro’s departure is now set in stone. The Brazilian confirmed to The Athletic that he will not reverse January’s decision to leave when his contract expires, and United will not trigger the appearance-related extension clause that could have kept him at Old Trafford for an extra year. That leaves seven fixtures before the 33-year-old’s farewell, and leaves Erik ten Hag’s successor (the identity of the permanent manager remains undecided) with a gaping hole at the base of midfield.

Talk of the Devils understands that United’s recruitment department has drawn up a 10-man shortlist for the No 6 role, only half of which has surfaced publicly. Names floated on the podcast include Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali, but the club accept that replacing Casemiro’s cocktail of experience, positional cunning and set-piece threat is almost impossible in one purchase. Instead, the emerging strategy is to recruit two high-grade midfielders at roughly £70 million apiece, mirroring last summer’s forward-line splurge on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

A second midfielder – an alternative or eventual successor to Kobbie Mainoo – is viewed as essential. Doubts over Manuel Ugarte’s long-term suitability mean a third addition is not being ruled out, although academy graduates Toby Collyer, Sekou Kone, Jack Fletcher and Jim Thwaites could yet fill the developmental slot. The profile of the second recruit will be shaped by the attributes of the first: if United land a deep-lying playmaker, the partner may need to be more destructive out of possession.

Further forward, the next priority is a left-sided attacker. The failed January pursuit of Antoine Semenyo, who joined Manchester City, is seen inside Carrington as a hint of the profile desired. With Sesko operating centrally, Amad on the right and Cunha drifting from the left, the coaching staff must decide whether a proven Premier League winger or a back-up centre-forward offers better value. Joshua Zirkzee’s fit within the current system is under review, while Patrick Dorgu’s long-term role – full-back or auxiliary winger – remains fluid.

Outgoings will shape the attacking budget. Napoli are expected to make Rasmus Hojlund’s loan permanent, Jadon Sancho’s contract expires when his Villa loan ends, and Barcelona are pushing to extend Marcus Rashford’s stay. In that context, a romantic homecoming for Danny Welbeck – 12 Premier League goals for Brighton this term – is again under discussion, with United mindful of his leadership and local ties.

Defensively, left-back is third on the agenda. Luke Shaw has started every league game this season, but, at 31 and facing the added strain of European football, he needs both support and succession planning. Tyrell Malacia will depart on a free, doubts persist over whether teenagers Harry Amass and Diego Leon are ready, and Dorgu’s hybrid status muddies the waters. United believe the centre-back group is overstocked – injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez notwithstanding – while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui provide adequate competition on the right.

Goalkeeper is a sleeper issue. Senne Lammens has been undisputed No 1 since October, yet Andre Onana is expected to return from Trabzonspor only to be moved on, Altay Bayindir wants regular football and Tom Heaton is out of contract. Radek Vitek, excelling on loan at Bristol City, wants to challenge Lammens, but the club must decide whether the 22-year-old Czech is ready or whether an experienced deputy is required.

In short, United’s summer list is long, expensive and intertwined. The midfield is the keystone; everything else flows from how effectively the club reinvents the engine room.