Manchester United's Midfield Rebuild Stalls Amid Transfer Challenges

Antony

Manchester United's rebuild is stalling, and the midfield is a key area of concern. Explore the club's options and potential signings to strengthen their squad.

Lammens, a 23-year-old goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp, has put Andre Onana's future at the club in jeopardy. The Red Devils have been monitoring Lammens since the transfer window opened and are now close to finalizing a £17 million deal. Lammens' impressive stats, including an 81.4% save percentage and 1.07 goals conceded per game, make him an attractive replacement.

Lammens' Potential Impact

• Lammens' arrival could push Onana out of the starting lineup, offering Amorim a better backup option.
• The Belgian goalkeeper's performance in penalty situations is notable, with four saves out of six spot kicks in the 2024-25 league season.
• Manchester United's interest in Lammens signals a potential shift in their goalkeeping dynamics.

The arrival of Lammens is expected to create competition for the No. 1 shirt, with Onana being the current incumbent. Rather than replacing Onana, Lammens is anticipated to push him for the starting spot, potentially leading to a rotation or competition between the two goalkeepers.

Potential Impact:

• Rotation: The two goalkeepers may rotate starts or share playing time
• Competition: The competition between Lammens and Onana could lead to improved performance from both goalkeepers.

The upcoming match against Fulham has significant implications for Andre Onana's future at Manchester United. If Altay Bayindir starts at Craven Cottage, it would be a clear indication that the club is pushing Onana towards an exit, sources suggest. This potential development comes as Manchester United nears a deal for Senne Lammens, a 23-year-old goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp.

🚨 Understand Manchester United are still working on deal to sign Senne Lammens, talks underway.

Personal terms are almost agreed and Man United are in active talks for the Belgian goalkeeper.#MUFC try to anticipate more clubs from France and Italy, also based on exits. pic.twitter.com/74HHSAGXd8

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2025

 

Potential Departure and Next Steps

• If Onana leaves, it could mark a significant shift in Manchester United's goalkeeping dynamics, with Lammens expected to challenge for the No. 1 shirt.

• Onana's potential exit would also highlight the club's willingness to make changes to strengthen their squad.

• The transfer window's final weeks will be crucial in determining Onana's fate, with several clubs potentially interested in signing him

Manchester United's rebuild seems to have hit a roadblock, particularly in midfield, where reinforcements are still needed. After a promising start with signings like Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, the momentum has slowed down. The club's focus has now shifted to strengthening the middle of the pitch, with manager Ruben Amorim eyeing talented midfielders to anchor his team.

Midfield Targets:

Carlos Baleba: Brighton & Hove Albion's £100 million valuation and reluctance to sell pose a significant challenge. Baleba's box-to-box prowess, showcased through his 4.2 tackles and 2.1 dribbles per game, makes him an attractive target.

Morten Hjulmand: Sporting CP captain and a “complete“ midfielder, according to Amorim. However, his release clause price tag might be steep for Manchester United.

Eduardo Camavinga: Real Madrid's 22-year-old French international is another potential target for Manchester United's midfield.

Ederson: Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder has emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils in the January transfer window.

Angelo Stiller: Although whispers about him are met with skepticism, he might still be considered.

Adam Wharton: Crystal Palace's midfielder seems untouchable for now.

Manchester United faces significant challenges in the transfer market, from securing the right players to navigating complex negotiations. With the transfer window closing on September 1, the club needs to act quickly to strengthen its midfield and complete the rebuild.

Manchester United's transfer saga continues to unfold, with several high-profile players remaining stuck at the club despite being made available for transfer. Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho are yet to find new teams, causing frustration and hindering the club's progress. This logjam has effectively frozen reinvestment, leaving the squad in limbo.

Stalled Transfers:

Antony: Manchester United wants to sell Antony, but his preference is to return to Real Betis. Benfica has considered a loan deal, but the Red Devils are firm on a sale.

Jadon Sancho: Sancho's potential transfer to Juventus stalled, and he's now likely to move to Turkey unless he secures a deal with a top-five league club.

Rasmus Hojlund: Manchester United values Hojlund at £40 million, with interest from Saudi clubs and Serie A teams. However, Hojlund wants to fight for his place, and the signing of Benjamin Sesko has complicated his situation.

Alejandro Garnacho: Garnacho has rejected offers from several European clubs, including Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen, as he prefers to join Chelsea. Manchester United had considered a swap deal involving Garnacho, but that option has been ruled out.

The stalled transfers have left manager Ruben Amorim's hands tied, particularly in midfield. Amorim would love to work with Morten Hjulmand again after their time at Sporting, but the club's inability to offload certain players has hindered progress. Recruitment chiefs have been told to sit tight, and unless a late market opening appears, the midfield could look exactly the same when the window shuts.

Manchester United's transfer dealings have been a subject of debate among fans, with the potential signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp offering some relief in goal. However, the £17 million deal might not excite fans who have lost confidence in current goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. Lammens' arrival is expected to create competition for the No. 1 shirt, pushing Onana and potentially altering the goalkeeping dynamics at the club.

Goalkeeping Options:

• Senne Lammens: The 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper is known for his strong mentality and impressive reflexes, having made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Jupiler Pro League last season.
• Andre Onana: Despite his talent, Onana's consistency issues have raised concerns about his reliability.
• Altay Bayindir: The Turkish goalkeeper's recent performances haven't inspired confidence, with costly errors affecting the team's results.

Manchester United's inability to strengthen their squad, particularly in midfield, has raised concerns about their title ambitions. The club's rebuild seems to have stalled, with manager Ruben Amorim struggling to find the right players to anchor his team. The starting lineup against Fulham on Sunday might reveal how far the club is willing to go in shaking things up.