Man Utd's dream transfer window: £200m double deal as Ruben Amorim cashes in

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Despite their best efforts to turn a corner, Manchester United are still struggling to find their footing this season. Following their worst season in recent memory, the Red Devils splashed out over £200million in the summer on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in an attempt to bolster Ruben Amorim 's forward line.

But despite addressing one major problem, another long-term issue has once again raised its head this campaign. United continue to be plagued by an imbalanced midfield that is frequently overrun by lesser teams.

As previously reported , club bosses and Amorim are acutely aware of the need for investment in central midfield. And as part of their long-term rebuilding strategy, the Red Devils are set to prioritise two signings in next summer's transfer window.

One name that keeps cropping up is Carlos Baleba. The Brighton midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer following an enquiry, but Brighton ultimately dismissed United's interest in the 21-year-old.

It is understood that Amorim's interest in the Cameroon international, Baleba, remains high, despite Brighton's hefty asking price of around £100m. That can be deemed a price worth paying.

Another starlet on United's radar is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, who carries a similar price tag of between £100m-£120m. The versatile midfielder, capable of playing both as a No.6 and as a roaming midfielder, has attracted significant attention following his standout performances for Forest and the England national team.

Anderson, one of English football's brightest prospects, is already on Amorim's watchlist. The Portuguese manager previously praised the England star ahead of their match against Forest this season, labelling him a "very good player". It appears that admiration has now turned into genuine interest.

Sky Germany reports the 23-year-old doesn't have a release clause, putting Forest in a strong bargaining position. However, it's believed that the Red Devils are prepared to go all out to secure his services.

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Signing both players for a combined fee of £200m might raise a few eyebrows, but it's certainly a necessary investment. They would form the midfield backbone for the team for years to come, providing Amorim with much more stability and balance in the centre of the pitch than his current options.

The Portuguese boss has been forced to deploy Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role this season within his 3-4-2-1 system, partnering him with either the ageing Casemiro or underwhelming Manuel Ugarte. In that position, the United captain’s defensive discipline and focus have occasionally been found wanting, with opposition sides capitalising to damaging effect.

Bringing in Baleba and Anderson would enable Fernandes to move back into his favoured role as one of the attacking playmakers operating behind the striker, sharing his game time with players such as Cunha. At 31, the Portugal international has likely already delivered his best performances in a United shirt, and managing his minutes more carefully could benefit both player and club moving forward.

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There's also the possibility of selling the playmaker, who nearly moved to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal during the summer transfer window before rejecting their lucrative offer. If they return with a bid in the region of £70m, United might be wise to accept such a lofty fee to finance their double midfield swoop.

Looking beyond their midfield concerns, United could also set their sights on Crystal Palace right wing-back Daniel Munoz. The Colombian has impressed at Selhurst Park since arriving from Belgian outfit Genk in 2024, and recently confessed it would be a "dream" to don the famous red Devils shirt.

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While Munoz is under contract at Palace until 2028, he appears to be thinking about the next stage of his career. However, he admitted he has no “concrete information” that United, or his other dream destinations - Barcelona, PSG and Real Madrid - have any real interest in signing him.

His qualities would certainly make him a valuable addition to Amorim’s squad. The 29-year-old has played 81 appearances for the Eagles, scoring eight times. His tireless work-rate and attacking prowess also helped the club lift the FA Cup and Community Shield, and he would be a worthy successor to Diogo Dalot.

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