United eye final week transfers

Manchester United push for late deals as Baleba link cools and key positions face scrutiny.

United eye final week transfers after Baleba link cools

Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at Old Trafford as the transfer window nears its close. New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo started and impressed, while Benjamin Sesko made his debut off the bench. Andre Onana did not feature, a decision Ruben Amorim framed as tactical rather than injury related. Altay Bayindir started in goal and was blamed for Riccardo Calafiori's late winner, prompting questions about the club's goalkeeping plans.

With two weeks left in the window, United continue to be linked with a high-profile goalkeeper and a ball-winners in midfield. Donnarumma and Diogo Costa have been among targets, although Amorim says he is happy with the current crop. In midfield, Casemiro started and Manuel Ugarte featured in the second half, while Kobbie Mainoo was unused as the club weighs options. On the outgoings front, Garnacho, Sancho, Hojlund and Malacia were omitted from the squad, with Roma and Milan among interested clubs in the reports. Baleba’s transfer talks have cooled for now, and United are weighing broader options such as Adam Wharton and names like Felix Nmecha and Morten Hjulmand as potential fits.

The window remains a test of balance for the club, balancing cost, timing and on-field needs as it plans for life after this season.

United face a final sprint that tests both their scouting appetite and their wage structure. The balance between chasing immediate impact and preserving financial flexibility will shape the club’s direction this month. If the goalkeeper situation remains unsettled, the pressure on the board will grow, especially when nights like the Arsenal defeat expose gaps that cannot be papered over by energy alone. A successful close could reinforce a clear, pragmatic plan; a slow finish risks letting rivals pull away in a crowded market.

Highlights

The market still hides moves behind the scenes