# Man Utd's Summer Transfer Mistakes

> Man Utd missed key signings that cost them the Champions League.
- Title: Man Utd's Summer Transfer Mistakes · SI | Shortify
- Summary: Man Utd missed key signings that cost them the Champions League. Man Utd's poor summer transfer decisions left gaps in their squad that led to a Carabao Cup…
- Keywords: man utd, champions league, carabao cup, transfer window, michael carrick, lisandro martinez, casemiro, kobbie mainoo, ederson, tielemans, baleba, santos
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/reimagining-man-utd-summer-transfer-window-red-devils-crisis
- Published: 2026-10-22T16:00:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: man utd, champions league, carabao cup, transfer window, michael carrick, lisandro martinez, casemiro, kobbie mainoo, ederson, tielemans, baleba, santos
## Man Utd's High Spirits Disappeared
Miserable results raised questions about manager Michael Carrick's future while center back Lisandro Martínez criticized recruitment.
## The Issue Was Wrong Priorities
United's priorities may have been wrong at a time when wider squad reinforcements were needed.
## Man Utd's 2026 Summer Signings
Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion for $95.5 million, Andrey Santos from Chelsea for $66.9 million, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for $47 million, Karl Darlow from Leeds United for free.
## Where Man Utd Went Wrong
United took a segmented approach to squad rebuild, focusing on attack in 2025 then midfield in 2026 with defense for 2027.
## Saturating the Market
This approach saturated the market and caused United to miss players with more significant impacts.
## Midfield Rebuild Without Plan
United wanted to rebuild midfield without a long-term plan, signing Baleba but making risky moves for Tielemans and Santos.
## Casemiro's Exit
Casemiro left in January before becoming a superstar, with his high wages playing a part in the decision.
## Why Midfield Was Focused
The focus on midfield was driven by a lack of numbers, not belief in the severity of weaknesses elsewhere.
## Left Back Needed
United needed a left back, another center back, and even a cheap striker to help with Benjamin Šeško's injury concerns.
## Jobs Pushed to Future
Those jobs were pushed into the future, causing United to pay the price now.
## Midfield Reinforcements Needed
Ugarte’s injury and Casemiro’s exit left Kobbie Mainoo as the only natural central midfielder in the first-team squad.
## Tielemans Was a Good Move
Tielemans was a cheap acquisition that United were right to pursue at the time.
## Éderson Was Walked Away From
United walked away from a $52 million deal for Éderson over fitness concerns.
## Cheaper Options Missed
United missed cheaper options like Mamadou Sangaré or Morten Hjulmand for midfield.
## Defensive Rebuild Delayed
United could have sped up their defensive rebuild by saving money on midfield signings.
## Left Back and Center Back Targets
United should have targeted left back Lewis Hall, center back Ezri Konsa, and Luka Vušković.
## Striker Opportunity
United could have signed Danny Welbeck to ease pressure on Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee.
## Dreamer Targets
Robert Lewandowski was set on MLS, while Jean-Philippe Mateta was a low risk, high reward signing.
## Tunnel Vision Costed Them
Avoidable gaps in the squad led to a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Brighton.
## Key takeaway

Man Utd's poor summer transfer decisions left gaps in their squad that led to a Carabao Cup loss to Brighton.