Baleba, Santos and Tielemans have just ended £60m star's Man Utd hopes
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REUTERS/Jon Super EDITORIAL
Published Sep 5, 2026, 6:10 AM GMT+1
Ethan is a feature and opinion journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in analytical football writing, Premier League coverage and in-depth features across the English game.
A graduate of the University of Derby's Football Journalism course, Ethan began developing his football media experience through roles including media assistant at non-league side Mickleover Sports and EFL reporter for VAVEL. After graduating in 2023, he spent six months as a Premier League journalist at GRV Media before joining Football FanCast in February 2024.
Ethan's work focuses on analysis-led features, opinion and player and club assessment, examining the tactical, statistical and wider footballing context behind the biggest stories. He covers a broad range of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Leeds United and sides across the Midlands, with particular expertise in Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
As a Nottingham Forest season-ticket holder and lifelong supporter, Ethan also brings first-hand knowledge of the club and its supporters to his coverage, complementing his broader understanding of the Premier League and English football.
Through his features and analysis, Ethan aims to give readers more than a reaction to the latest football story, providing considered opinions, tactical insight and detailed analysis that explains the significance behind performances, players and developments across the game.
Even before the summer transfer window opened, Manchester United were on the hunt for added depth and quality after Casemiro’s departure from Old Trafford.
The likes of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes were seen as key targets for the Red Devils, but they eventually missed out on the two talents as they joined Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.
Despite failing to land their top targets, INEOS splashed over £150m on three new faces to hand Michael Carrick the calibre of player he craves for success in 2026/27.
However, such depth could hand the manager a selection headache. So, how does United’s best midfield line up on paper?
How Man Utd's midfield could line up in 2026/27
After the arrivals of Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos this summer, there’s no denying boss Carrick has a plethora of Premier League options at United.
The aforementioned trio have well over 360 appearances in England’s top-flight between them, undoubtedly handing the quality and experience he needs for success.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell
However, add Red Devils academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo into the mix too, and it’s fair to say the club have some of the most talented midfielders in such a division.
The Englishman will no doubt be the manager’s first choice in such a department, with his showing against Ipswich Town last weekend reaffirming his place as a regular starter.
Kobbie Mainoo - stats against Ipswich
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
80
Touches
68
Pass accuracy
90%
Succesful dribbles
4
Passes into final third
6
Tackles made
3
Ball recoveries
10
Ground duels won
75%
As a result, the other three additions will have to fight it out for the remaining starting role, with Tielemans the man to partner Mainoo in the two league games to date.
The Belgian’s experience appears to be key to Carrick at present, which could see the former Aston Villa man form a superb partnership with the academy graduate.
Linking those two with attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes certainly makes for a superb combination - undoubtedly aiding the club in their efforts for Premier League success.
United star now looks finished after the three arrivals
Securing such talents is undoubtedly a huge bonus for United in their hunt for glory, but ultimately, such additions will have repercussions for numerous players already on the books.
Manuel Ugarte, a player who’s spent the last two years at Old Trafford, is set for a spell on the sidelines with injury, but is unlikely to secure a starting role upon his return to action.
It’s also restricted the opportunities for young academy stars Jack and Tyler Fletcher, who have both spent numerous years challenging for a senior position.
However, the biggest loser out of the summer business is undoubtedly Mason Mount, with the Englishman a player who has failed to deliver at Old Trafford.
At one point hailed as being "like Paul Scholes" by Roy Keane while at Chelsea, injury has since been the tale of his time in Manchester.
The 27-year-old, who joined from the Blues for £60m in 2023, was handed a platform to succeed by Carrick in pre-season, subsequently featuring in games against PSG and Atlético Madrid.
He was utilised in a deep-lying position alongside Santos during such outings, but limped off with yet another injury during the first 20 minutes of the first of the two clashes.
Mount has since failed to appear in any of the two outings in the Premier League in 2026/27, with it remaining unclear when he will return to senior action.
It’s safe to say it’s not the first time he’s suffered fitness issues during his three years in Manchester, as his tally of missed top-flight matches extends to 62.
Such a tally is actually higher than his appearances made in the Premier League for the Red Devils, with the former Chelsea star only featuring in 54 top-flight outings since his big-money move.
Even last season, when he featured in such a division, Mount struggled to deliver the goods in attacking areas - as seen by his big chances created tally.
He only averaged 0.1 big chances created in the Premier League last term, subsequently placing him in the bottom 20% of all midfielders in England’s top-flight.
Mount also placed below 78% of midfielders for dribbles completed, with the big-money man struggling to meet the demands when not struggling with injury issues.
Given the £150m worth of new additions this summer, there’s no denying Mount is a player who is now edging closer than ever to the exit door at Old Trafford.
He’s proven he no longer has the reliability or quality to make an impact in Carrick’s side, which could result in a huge loss of money should he depart in the months ahead.
1 week ago
11
REUTERS/Jon Super EDITORIAL
REUTERS/Scott Heppell
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