Man United CEO outlines clear transfer plan as five stars targeted in major upgrade

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Manchester United chief executive officer Omar Berrada has confirmed the club are planning to replicate last summer's transfer strategy by bringing in a blend of seasoned Premier League talent and overseas stars.

United splashed out more than £200million on four players during the 2025/26 summer transfer window. The Red Devils kicked off their business by snapping up Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal from Wolves , before Bryan Mbeumo followed from Brentford for £71m. The club then secured Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73m and wrapped up a late £18m swoop for Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

On the outgoing side, Marcus Rashford , Jadon Sancho, Andre Onana, Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass and Rasmus Hojlund were all sent out on loan, while Alejandro Garnacho was offloaded to Chelsea for £40m and Antony headed to Real Betis for £21m. Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans all departed upon the expiry of their contracts.

Ultimately, it proved to be a fruitful window for United, with the side eventually clinching third place in the Premier League and securing Champions League football after Michael Carrick stepped in as manager midway through the campaign. Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko and Lammens all made impressive starts to their Old Trafford careers and played their part in the club's return to elite European competition.

As United head into another pivotal summer, CEO Berrada has insisted the Reds have a "clear plan" and are looking to replicate the success they achieved in the transfer market a year ago.

Speaking to United's YouTube channel, Berrada said: "I think the template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways. You always go into a window, you don't know how you're going to come out of it, but you have to be really prepared. You have to have a clear plan.

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"You have to know exactly what positions you're looking to strengthen. And you also have to be prepared for any eventuality, there could be exits that we're not expecting, there could be opportunities in the market that perhaps weren't there at the beginning of the window. So, we have to be ready.

"We have to be agile and flexible, but we have a clear plan. Jason Wilcox and his team are very well set up to to execute that plan. And I do think that what we saw last season is a good way forward for us, which is we want a mix of experience and youth.

"We want a mix of players that have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also with players that are doing very well outside the Premier League. But we will always do it within our terms and ensuring that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also for the long term."

United have their sights set on at least five new recruits this summer. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to become the club's first signing after a £38m agreement was reached earlier this week.

On top of that, the Reds have shown interest in Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes and Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Elliot Anderson has also been mentioned as a target, though Manchester City appear to be ahead in the race to land the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

A striker is firmly on United's wish list too, with the club having already confirmed that Hojlund has departed on a permanent basis this summer. A left-back is another position under consideration, with Newcastle's Lewis Hall emerging as a potential option.

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