The transfer deadline has now passed, and there is a lot to break down.
A busy transfer window has seen Manchester United attempt to rebuild the squad after a disastrous 2024/25 season.
Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were all shown the door, while Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen were both released.
On the incomings side, United paid heavily for Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, before a deadline day swoop for goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Will it be enough? Will we regret not signing a midfielder? Did the disappointing start to the season change anything?
United In Focus are holding a Live Q&A with transfer expert Graeme Bailey as we reflect on deadline day and the summer as a whole.
And finally, how much better is United’s squad than last season and what is your prediction for where they could finish?
“There is no doubt at all United are are in a better place – they now have a squad that generally is able to play the formation that Ruben Amorim wants.
“It is hard but I don’t think we should judge Amorim on last season – this season is the first time he has the team he wants. It is not an easy system to play, we know that but there are signs of progression.
“In terms of where they finish, as I have said I think Bruno is a problem, he doesn’t fit and I have never been convinced about him being captain.
“But I would say a top-six finish is likely.”
[Link]Liverpool’s move for Marc Guehi is now OFF, could United look at him as a replacement for Harry Maguire next summer?
“Well, I certainly think that Marc Guehi will be one of the big stories in 2026 – I know Barcelona and Bayern Munich like him, he is going to have his pick of clubs.
“Whether United are in the mix, well that will depend how they perform in the next nine months.”
Another one who presumably could still leave is Tyrell Malacia?
“That is the plan for sure – there are still a few windows open – I am told one to watch might be United’s sister Ineos club Lausanne but there are a few options for him.”
Senne Lammens arrival means uncertainty for Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana, with foreign deadlines still open, is this one to watch?
“For sure – we know that United have already told Onana they were willing to allow Onana to go on loan if Emi Martinez came in.
“I think Onana is more likely, we know that Amorim as it stands prefers Bayindir.
“I could still see Onana move to Turkey – Galatasaray do still want a number one and that looks a good fit.”
Ineos have clearly invested heavily in Ruben Amorim, it looks like he has their full support despite mixed results?
“As it stands yes, they love him as a person and are fully on board with the Amorim project. And they have to be.
“Whilst not a perfect start there have been some good things, going forward they do a look a threat – I don’t think it is really a consideration about his future.
“Amorim speaks his mind, and he does sort of get misquoted to an extent but he is just an open and likeable character, which I don’t think we should criticise.”
Diego Leon is United’s forgotten signing, are you hearing anything about him?
“I am only hearing good things – but with Dalot playing both sides they are clearly taking their time to bring him in but the fact they haven’t loaned him out, like we have seen Harry Amass going, it tells us they like him”
Among the Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko deals, what stands out to you most?
“I think Mbeumo and Cunha were planned and focused – where as I think Sesko was too reactionary, they reacted to that deal as he was available.
“I like Sesko but I really do think that one was a huge risk – a bit like the goalkeeper situation I think they should have gone tried and tested like an Osimhen.
“But I really hope Sesko does well, and hope he soon gets his chance – I think he will after the international break.”
[Link]United stood firm over Kobbie Mainoo, do you expect contract talks to move forward?
“I do, but I am still shocked by how United have treated Mainoo – I think it is really, really poor.
“And let me say why – this is a United product who has come through, made his England debut and scored the winner in the FA Cup final, but since then he has not had a new deal – he is one of the lowest paid members of their squad, that is not acceptable.
“He was promised a new deal last year and again this summer.
“Mainoo loves United but do the club love him, I am not sure – one of the first things they should be going once this window shuts is tying him down to a new deal.”
Are you surprised United did not sign a midfielder?
“Well if you asked me this a month ago, I would have said no but today a little yeah.
“With this new system we have seen that the biggest issue is finding a place for Bruno Fernandes because he is being played as an 8 – they need that domineering no 6 rather than playing a double pivot.
“Casemiro can no longer play that role. We know they liked Carlos Baleba and still do, we know that Ruben Amorim like Morten Hjulmand – but it just didn’t happen.
“I can confirm that United were one of the teams to have asked about Conor Gallagher in recent days – he would be an interesting option – that didn’t happen but let’s keep an eye on that for January.”
[Link]Is Jadon Sancho gone for good now? Why did it take so long…
“I don’t think we ever see him in a United shirt, which I am sure will please most United fans.
“It took long because Sancho kept on rejecting moves. Let’s not forget at the start of the summer – Sancho said not to Chelsea as he wouldn’t drop his wages.
“We then saw Napoli and Juventus fail to happen for similar reasons.
“Now Sancho has moved on-loan, it is not ideal for United but the wages are being covered.
“United also still have the option to extend, could they use it if he plays well – it is possible but not to bring him back but to sell for as much as they can get back.”
On the topic of Emiliano Martinez, what happened there?
“I don’t get this I have to say – indeed I think they should have done Lammens and Martinez, cleared the whole GK department out.
“Martinez really wanted this move, he is gutted from what I am told – he loves Villa, of course he does but players in South America love Man United – to join them is something special.
“But United left it late, I think the deal could have been done but it was expensive.”
And over to the big news, how did the Senne Lammens deal come together?
“United to their credit have been on Lammens trail since last year, they really like what they have seen.
“Did they see him coming in and challenging for number one this summer? I am not convinced they did.
“But it was told to me they have to trust their own eyes, they trust their scouts with this.
“However, like the fan base the club’s football department are split – there was a number of them who wanted Martinez.
“It’s a gamble not going for Martinez or indeed Donnarumma.”
How do Manchester United feel overall with the transfer window…
Graeme: “United feel good – they got a new front three, a new goalkeeper – the only thing they didn’t do was a new defensive midfielder but overall I am believe they are happy.
“They also got the bomb squad out – all the big ones Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Garnacho and Hojlund.
“To be fair with none of them did United get the deals they wanted, but they have all gone, so you have to see that a positive.”
Quick round-up…
– Senne Lammens is set to sign for Manchester United
– Antony has sealed his move to Real Betis
– Rasmus Hojlund has signed with Napoli
– Harry Amass has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan
– Jadon Sancho is signing on loan with Aston Villa
[Link]Shoutout to Graeme
Before we get started, quick shoutout to Graeme for his exclusive story on Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa… back in June.
This move finally appears to have gone through, and United In Focus were ahead of everybody else.
[Link]
Deadline day is now over
Welcome to our post-deadline day LIVE Q&A with transfer expert Graeme Bailey, where we will be talking about all things Manchester United.
If you have a question from Graeme, drop him a message on X at @GraemeBailey
[Link]from United In Focus https://ift.tt/T1nMwPU