Ruben Amorim has made it clear who he wants next — and it’s not a striker

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Manchester United are edging closer to their second major signing of the summer.

After an initial £45m bid for Bryan Mbeumo was turned down by Brentford, United stayed persistent and pushed on with negotiations.

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United have now come in with a new offer worth over £60m, which is expected to meet Brentford’s valuation of the 25-year-old forward.

Once a deal is agreed, Mbeumo will join Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford, adding further depth across the frontline for Ruben Amorim. But while the search for a striker remains ongoing, Amorim may push for a signing in another area first.

Ruben Amorim wants a midfielder next

After a Europa League final defeat and a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, expectations for a big summer budget were always going to be low.

Still, United have already moved for two Premier League forwards, with a striker also high on the priority list. But Amorim has another key area in mind.

According to The Athletic, Amorim has made it clear he wants an ‘athletic midfielder’ added to the squad before the 2025–26 season begins.

With Christian Eriksen departing at the end of his contract, depth is an increasing concern — especially if no new addition is brought in.

The striker search, meanwhile, may take a back seat for now. Viktor Gyokeres has gone on strike at Sporting to force a move, but that hasn’t moved negotiations forward. At the same time, the links to Victor Osimhen have gone quiet.

Ruben Amorim’s summer priority is clear

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim has prioritised adding more physicality and power to the squad. He’s already brought in Patrick Dorgu, who was described as a ‘machine’ before his move, and the next target fits a similar profile.

Cunha and Mbeumo are both proven in the Premier League and aren’t reliant on their physicality — two qualities United are short on beyond Rasmus Hojlund in the current squad.

With Eriksen gone and a striker search stalling, there’s a growing need to strengthen the midfield. In Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, two physically dominant players are needed, and it’s clear he doesn’t think his options are sufficient yet.

However, while Matheus Cunha and now Mbeumo have been prioritised, there’s a growing need for more depth — especially with Christian Eriksen having now left the club.