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Manchester United are working to get back to their best under INEOS, and have already made some smart investments over the summer.
Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo were signed to add more firepower to Ruben Amorim’s attack. Senne Lammens arrived as a possible upgrade on Andre Onana between the sticks, while the Premier League giants also welcomed Diego Leon to their roster.
A new midfielder was on the agenda as well, and multiple candidates were on the Red Devils’ radar for the position. While the move never materialised, the club are likely to continue their pursuit of a new midfielder in 2026 as well.
Recent reports have suggested that they have also identified Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde as an option for the job.
Valverde could fit in well at Old Trafford
Valverde arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Penarol in the summer of 2016 and initially joined the youth side. By 2018, the Uruguayan had broken into the first team and hasn’t looked back since.
Valverde has amassed 32 goals and 32 assists from 328 games across competitions for Los Blancos so far. He has enjoyed tremendous success with the LaLiga giants, winning three league titles and two Champions League trophies, among other silverware.
It is not a wonder, then, that United are enticed by the possibility of adding the 27 year old to Ruben Amorim’s roster. It now appears that the Red Devils are planning a player-plus-cash deal for Valverde in 2026.
United willing to sacrifice Kobbie Mainoo
According to Football365 via reports in Spain, the Red Devils are ready to include Kobbie Mainoo in their offer for Valverde. The Premier League giants are planning to take advantage of Real Madrid’s interest in the Englishman and have reportedly offered £44m plus the 20 year old in exchange for the Uruguayan.
Mainoo has appeared thrice across competitions this season, including one start, which came in the EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town. He is reportedly unsettled at the Theatre of Dreams and also wanted to leave over the summer on loan in search of regular football.
However, it is perhaps wise to take the report with a pinch of salt. While Mainoo has struggled for game time under Amorim this season, previous reports have suggested that he remains firmly in the Premier League giants’ plans.
Having not sanctioned a loan departure over the summer despite the player’s request, United are unlikely to change their stance in a matter of months.
The report, however, adds that Los Blancos have no desire to offload Valverde, as he is a key part of Xabi Alonso’s squad. While the LaLiga giants are interested in Mainoo, they haven’t taken a final decision regarding a move for the Englishman at the moment.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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