Manchester United’s summer plans are beginning to take shape, with both internal options and external targets being assessed ahead of the transfer window

With Manchester United enjoying a strong run of form, supporters could be forgiven for wanting to stay in the moment.

However, as the campaign moves to its closing stretch, focus is naturally shifting toward the forthcoming summer transfer window. Which coach will be in charge of United’s recruitment strategy remains uncertain, although Michael Carrick has firmly placed himself as the leading candidate after guiding the team to seven victories in 10 games since stepping in for Ruben Amorim as interim manager in January.

A massive spending splurge is not anticipated – especially following more than £250million being invested in new signings last summer, when Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were brought in to revamp the attack.

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But additions are expected, particularly in midfield. Casemiro has already confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season, the longer-term situation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo remains unresolved, and uncertainty still surrounds players such as Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte.

If Rio Ferdinand has his way, reinforcements could arrive across multiple areas (but more on that shortly). A key question is whether the club will look to external signings or promote from within – with talents like JJ Gabriel making an impression in the academy. With that in mind, here are the latest Manchester United-related headlines.

JJ Gabriel decision made

Manchester United intend to include JJ Gabriel in their pre-season squad this summer, highlighting just how highly the 15-year-old is valued internally. Already regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in the nation, Gabriel has excelled for United’s U18 side during this season.

His development has caught the attention of senior staff, including Carrick, who has monitored him closely in recent weeks. Plans are now in place for the youngster to be part of the club’s upcoming European pre-season tour, with talks continuing regarding a schedule that may include Scandinavia and other locations.

United are committed to creating a clear route into the senior squad for their top academy players, and Gabriel’s involvement in the tour strongly reflects their confidence in his ability. He is not expected to be the only youngster included, especially with several first-team players likely to miss early pre-season due to World Cup duties.

Gabriel has delivered outstanding numbers, netting 21 goals in 23 matches for the U18s this season. He has also trained with the senior side multiple times, with Carrick describing him as a “big talent.”

Whether this early involvement leads to a senior squad role next season is still uncertain, but Gabriel now has a chance to follow a similar path to Max Dowman of Arsenal, who received a pre-season opportunity at 15 last summer before moving into the first-team setup.

Ferdinand outlines transfer wish list

Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has detailed what he believes would constitute a successful transfer window, calling for four key additions: a striker, a full-back and two midfielders.

Ferdinand believes a “realistic” window would not involve a full-scale rebuild, but instead focused upgrades – especially in midfield – along with extra depth in attack and at full-back. While he acknowledges the benefit of signing another striker to compete with Sesko, he stresses that reinforcing central midfield should take precedence.

“If United go and get four players in the next window and two of those are starters, then I think that’s a realistic transfer window,” Ferdinand said on his podcast. “If I was the club, my priorities would be two central midfielders, one who starts and maybe a younger one who you can blood in here and there around Bruno [Fernandes], Kobbie [Mainoo] and the one you bring in.

“I would also go for another forward, a younger one who is going to be more of a back-up to what we’ve already got. And I would go for a full-back. That’s it. I know you can say you want 10 new players and most positions can be improved but I don’t think you need a huge revamp, it’s still a lot but that’s realistic.”

A number of midfielders have already been connected with a potential move to Old Trafford, including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. However, Ferdinand made it clear which player he would prioritise.

“Beginning of the season everyone was talking about [Carlos] Baleba, he seems to have gone off the boil a little bit form wise. Elliot Anderson, he seems to have jumped to the front of the queue. I think he’s a wonderful player.”

He continued: “I think he is the right type not only of player but character, I think he’d be a good addition to the squad… I just think the type of midfielder United need is somebody who is all-action, who can cover ground, who is dynamic, who is robust, strong, who can drive a team. Right now Anderson seems to be ticking those boxes.”

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