Manchester United completed four major signings during the 2026 summer transfer window, but their overall business leaves plenty to be desired.
The window for English clubs has now slammed shut, although further departures cannot be ruled out with the Turkish transfer window still open.
Here is our assessment of every major piece of business United completed this summer.
Incomings – 6/10
Carlos Baleba – 8/10
United wanted Baleba last summer, but Brighton & Hove Albion were demanding more than £120 million to part ways with their prized midfielder.
The Red Devils showed patience, waited another year and eventually secured him for an initial £65m.
This deal would have earned a 9/10, but Baleba’s dramatic dip in form last season raises some concerns.
Andrey Santos – 7/10
Santos became United’s first major signing of the summer and immediately offered plenty of excitement for the future.
The Brazilian possesses enormous potential and prefers operating in the number six role. His impressive pre-season performances also provided plenty of encouragement.
For £48m, United could have landed a genuine bargain if Santos fulfils his potential at Old Trafford.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that he hardly got regular opportunities at Chelsea.
Youri Tielemans – 6/10
United moved quickly after triggering the £35m release clause in his contract at Aston Villa.
Following Casemiro’s departure, the Red Devils desperately needed an experienced presence in midfield.
Tielemans fits that profile, but his lack of explosiveness and recent injury problems mean this deal earns only a slightly above-average rating.
Karl Darlow – 7/10
Adding an experienced goalkeeper capable of providing reliable cover for Senne Lammens was an important piece of business for United.
Altay Bayindir failed to convince during his three underwhelming seasons at Old Trafford.
Darlow impressed at Leeds United last season and could prove to be a dependable deputy for Lammens.
Outgoings – 2/10
Rasmus Hojlund – 7/10
Hojlund was sent on loan to Napoli last summer, and the Italian outfit were obligated to sign him for £38m after qualifying for the Champions League.
The Italian outfit were delighted to sign him permanently after he scored 16 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.
Radek Vitek – 4/10
Vitek completed a permanent move to Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £14 million, but almost half of that figure is tied to add-ons.
After an outstanding campaign at Bristol City, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award, United should arguably have pushed for an initial fee exceeding £10m.
Toby Collyer – 5/10
Collyer completed a permanent move to West Bromwich Albion for an initial fee of £3m.
United have protected their interests with a buy-back clause and a 40 per cent sell-on clause, but both safeguards will mean little if he fails to establish himself at the Hawthorns.
After making 13 senior appearances for the Red Devils, United have ultimately allowed Collyer to leave for what looks like a cut-price fee.
Overall rating – 4/10
Overall, it has been an abysmal summer transfer window for Manchester United.
Head coach Michael Carrick has every right to feel let down by the hierarchy after a window that was undermined by questionable planning and poor execution.
United identified midfield as a clear priority but failed to land their first-choice targets in Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Aurélien Tchouameni.
The arrivals of Baleba, Santos and Tielemans at least give United supporters some genuine reason for optimism in midfield.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of their defence.
It is criminal that INEOS failed to sign a left-back, particularly with Luke Shaw now the only senior specialist available to Carrick in that position.
Shaw’s injury record makes it unrealistic to expect him to play twice a week throughout a demanding campaign.
Failing to address such an obvious weakness represents clear negligence on the part of the recruitment team.
United also failed to offload Joshua Zirkzee, while Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both been sent out only on loan.
Carrick clearly does not rate Zirkzee, yet he has been left to try to achieve success with a striker who has scored just nine goals over the last two seasons.
Stats from Fotmob.com
