Manchester United is actively working to strengthen its squad for the upcoming season, with a particular focus on midfield reinforcements. Manager Michael Carrick, despite recent additions, is reportedly seeking further improvements to his team’s engine room. The club has already secured the services of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, who are expected to compete for a starting role during pre-season training. These new signings come at a time when Carrick’s midfield options were previously limited due to the departure of Casemiro and an injury to Manuel Ugarte. Last season, Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence was a significant positive for the team, and Carrick will be keen to build a more robust and versatile midfield unit.
Midfield Targets and Barcelona Prospect
Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer. Among the names previously mentioned are Carlos Baleba of Brighton, Alex Scott from Bournemouth, and Manu Kone of Roma. However, recent reports suggest that Barcelona’s promising young talent, Marc Bernal, has also surfaced as a potential target following his impressive breakthrough campaign with the Catalan club.
Bernal, a defensive midfielder, has reportedly attracted interest from a host of top European clubs, including Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Italian side Roma and Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. Despite this widespread attention, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo indicates that Bernal has expressed “absolute loyalty” to Barcelona, his boyhood club. The 19-year-old featured in 22 league matches last season and has already earned his debut for Spain. His current contract with Barcelona extends until 2029 and is understood to include a substantial release clause of approximately £427 million (€500 million).
Joshua Zirkzee Linked with Juventus Move
In other transfer news, Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly drawing significant interest from Italian giants Juventus. Since his arrival from Bologna in 2024, the 25-year-old Dutch international has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter for United. Reports suggest that Juventus views Zirkzee as a “top target” and are currently leading the race to secure his signature.
According to claims, discussions are underway between Manchester United and Juventus regarding a potential deal. The proposed arrangement is said to involve a loan move for Zirkzee, with an obligation to buy him permanently for a fee of around £30 million. This reported interest from Juventus emerged after their pursuit of Randal Kolo Muani from PSG failed to materialize. Zirkzee himself is reportedly “keen” on the prospect of joining the Turin-based club.
Zirkzee’s Manchester United Tenure
Throughout his two years at Manchester United, Zirkzee has made 75 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals. However, his playing time has been limited, particularly last
