DONE DEAL: Manchester United signed 24-year-old striker for a World-record fee of £145million as the superstar signed six-years contract with the Reds

Ruben Amorim will face the biggest challenge of his professional management career next season, as he looks to take Manchester United back to their former glory.

The 40-year-old was appointed back in November last year, but was unable to transform their fortunes as they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

However, he largely had to work with the players already at his disposal, with only Patrick Dorgu arriving as a senior first-team signing back in January.

This summer presents him with the opportunity to make the additions he wants to improve the current situation at Old Trafford, handing him the best possible chance of being a success in the role.

With the transfer window now in full swing, the hierarchy have wasted no time in backing Amorim in his quest, targeting numerous players in various areas of the pitch.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
Hayden Hackney has been one of the main midfield targets for United throughout the course of the summer window, with it being revealed that the club have been seen scouting him in recent weeks at the U21 Euros.
As for the attacking department, Hugo Ekitiké is a player who was of keen interest a couple of weeks ago, but a deal has gone quiet ever since his asking price of £84m was revealed.

However, the backline looks set to be the next department to be added to, with the Red Devils making progress in a deal to sign Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, according to a report in Spain via Football365.
It states that Amorim’s side have already made an offer for the Uruguayan defender, who’s currently valued at a bargain fee of just £38m by the LaLiga giants.

They also claim that Bayern Munich and Juventus are also looking to take advantage of the fee mentioned, with Hansi Flick looking to raise sales to sign Nico Williams this window.
Why United’s £38m target would be a more important addition than Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo has been a player firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of weeks, with multiple offers being made for the Brentford talisman.

The first offer of £55m was swiftly rejected, but the second bid of £60m is still being considered, with only minor details needing to be ironed out before he can negotiate with Amorim’s side.
It’s been reported that the 25-year-old appears set to have his medical at the Red Devils next week, potentially becoming the club’s second addition of the window after Matheus Cunha.

There’s no doubt that given his tally of 20 league goals this season would improve the options at the manager’s disposal in the final third, offering him the attacking threat he’s craved in the role.

However, a move for Araujo this window would arguably be a more important one for the club, landing a star that would massively bolster another area of the pitch.
It was confirmed that Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof would be leaving the club at the end of their current contracts, leaving a lack of depth within the defensive unit.

Additions to the defence are certainly needed if the Red Devils are to make the jump, with injuries showing how light the club was even before the aforementioned duo departed.

When delving into the Uruguayan’s stats from this season, he’s demonstrated the qualities he possesses with and without the ball, handing Amorim an elite-level option in his pursuit of glory.
Araujo, who’s been labelled a “monster” by teammate Eric Garcia, completed 92% of the passes he attempted, with 3.1 per 90 being into the final third – stats that could offer the club an opportunity to play out from the back when needed.

Rúben Amorim is now heading into a **crucial summer transfer window** — a defining moment for his Manchester United tenure after a **disappointing bottom-half finish in 2024/25**. While his hands were tied last season with an inherited and injury-ravaged squad, the **backing he’s now receiving from INEOS and Dan Ashworth** gives him a true platform to build *his version* of Manchester United.

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### 🔴 Manchester United’s Transfer Plan Under Rúben Amorim — June/July 2025 Snapshot

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### ✅ **Confirmed Signing**

* **Matheus Cunha** (Wolves, Forward)

* Fee: £42.5m
* Role: Dynamic attacker, depth for multiple positions up top

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### ⌛️ **Imminent Signings**

#### 🛫 **Bryan Mbeumo** (Brentford, Right Winger)

* **Status**: £60m bid **close to acceptance**
* **Medical expected**: *Next week*
* **Why important?**

* 20 league goals in 2024/25
* Tactical fit for Amorim’s right-sided forward in a 3-4-3
* Replaces inconsistent Antony/Sancho options

#### 🔒 **Ronald Araújo** (Barcelona, Centre-Back)

* **Status**: **Bid submitted**, Barca open to selling at **£38m**
* **Other interest**: Bayern, Juventus — but United have **pushed ahead**
* **Why more important than Mbeumo?**

* Replaces *Evans* and *Lindelöf* (both released)
* Elite defensive stats:

* 92% pass accuracy
* 3.1 passes into final third per 90
* Leader at the back and composed ball-playing profile — vital to Amorim’s build-from-the-back system

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### 🔭 **Other Active Targets**

#### 🧠 **Hayden Hackney** (Middlesbrough, Midfielder)

* **Status**: Scouted at U21 Euros, possible bid incoming
* **Profile**: Homegrown, intelligent pivot player — fits long-term squad depth strategy

#### ❌ **Hugo Ekitiké** (Eintracht Frankfurt, Forward)

* **Status**: Talks **frozen** due to £84m asking price

#### 🔁 **Dušan Vlahović** (Juventus, Striker)

* **Swap possible**: Jadon Sancho + cash
* **Purpose**: Physical, elite No. 9 option if Rasmus Højlund is used in a deal elsewhere (e.g., Osimhen links)

#### 🎯 **Rafael Leão** (AC Milan, Winger)

* **Offer being prepared**: £60m — below Milan’s asking price but active discussions
* **Rashford replacement** if he leaves permanently (loaned to Aston Villa in Jan 2025)
* Leão has **modeled his game after Rashford** but is now statistically outperforming him

#### 🔮 **Felix Nmecha** (Dortmund, Midfielder)

* **Monitored** for late-window move to add box-to-box versatility

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### 🧱 Defensive Priority: Why Ronald Araújo > Mbeumo (Strategically)

While **Mbeumo brings immediate goals**, *defensive stability* is far more urgent for a club that:

* Conceded **60+ goals** last season
* Lost **Evans + Lindelöf**
* Has **Raphaël Varane leaving** and **Lisandro Martínez’s fitness** still unreliable

Araújo:

* Is only 26
* Has Champions League and La Liga pedigree
* Could become **captain material** at Old Trafford

He’s seen as the **anchor of Amorim’s defensive rebuild** — alongside potential targets like Matthijs de Ligt or Leny Yoro, depending on final budget decisions.

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### ⚙️ Summary: What Amorim Needs for a Successful Season

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Would you like a tactical XI with current and targeted players under Amorim’s 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 vision?