Manchester United made five key signings during the recent summer transfer window, but as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano pointed out, the club was unable to secure an additional attacking player, despite their best efforts. Manager Erik ten Hag focused on strengthening crucial areas of the squad as they aim to build on last season’s FA Cup victory and pursue a return to the prestigious Champions League.
One of the standout acquisitions was Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, whom United signed from Bologna for £36.5 million. This transfer added much-needed depth to United’s attacking options, with Zirkzee viewed as a valuable asset for their forward line.
Another high-profile signing saw Manchester United beat Real Madrid in the race to sign French defender Leny Yoro from Lille for a fee of £52 million. Yoro’s arrival brought additional quality to United’s defense, an area that Ten Hag has prioritized for improvement.
Additionally, United managed to secure a double signing from German giants Bayern Munich, adding defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to their roster. These two players, acquired for a combined total of £50 million, provide United with further defensive stability and versatility, which will be crucial as they navigate a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.
On the final day of the transfer window, United completed one more key deal by bringing in Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. The dynamic midfielder joined for a £42 million fee, further strengthening United’s midfield options. With these reinforcements, Ten Hag has crafted a squad capable of competing on both domestic and European fronts, although the start of the Premier League season has been mixed.
Currently, Manchester United sits 10th in the Premier League standings after their first four matches of the season. Their recent results, however, have shown signs of improvement. United secured a convincing 3-0 win over Southampton in their last league outing and followed that up with an emphatic 7-0 victory against League One side Barnsley in the League Cup.
This dominant performance marked United’s largest win under Ten Hag’s leadership, though Barnsley’s manager was understandably disappointed with his team’s showing.
Looking ahead, United will aim to continue their upward trajectory as they prepare to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. A win would give them back-to-back Premier League victories and a chance to climb the table after a slow start.
Despite the success of their summer signings, Manchester United’s transfer window was not without its setbacks. One of the most notable disappointments was their inability to secure the services of Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons. The Netherlands international, who played a key role in Euro 2024 and scored during a 2-1 defeat to England, was a priority target for United.
Simons, originally signed by Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2022, had spent the 2022-23 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, where he impressed with his performances. After his loan spell, Simons returned to PSG, only to make another move to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga the following season.
According to Romano, United had expressed their interest in signing Simons before the start of the European Championships. However, despite their efforts, Simons opted to return to the Bundesliga, leaving United without their desired attacking reinforcement. While they missed out on the talented midfielder this time, Romano suggested that there is still a possibility Simons could make the switch to England in 2025, keeping the door open for a future move to Old Trafford.
In the meantime, Manchester United will focus on making the most of their current squad as they aim for success in both the Premier League and Europa League campaigns, while keeping an eye on potential future transfer opportunities.
