Manchester United look set for a huge summer transfer window as they gear up for the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford next season.
Aside from a couple of matches in domestic cup competitions, Man United have been able to fully focus on their 38 Premier League matches this term, having missed out on European football altogether last term.
It is something that has benefitted them in England’s top flight, and they currently lie in third position under caretaker manager Michael Carrick following a brilliant run of form in 2026.
The Red Devils currently occupy third spot ahead of hosting Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night, but both Aston Villa and Liverpool could leapfrog them with wins this weekend, against Fulham and Crystal Palace respectively.
Even if that did happen, Carrick’s side would reclaim third with a win against the Bees, and all but cement their Champions League spot for next season as a result with a top-five finish enough to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.
Reaching the Champions League again would significantly boost what United are able to do in the transfer market.
Man United Boosted in Manu Kone Chase
It was reported at the end of 2025 by journalist Francesca Teodori that Kone ‘will join’ Manchester United this summer, with the Frenchman ‘very keen’ on the switch to Old Trafford.
It is widely recognised that the Red Devils want to add at least two new central midfielders to their squad this summer, with Casemiro set to leave when his contract expires.
In addition, the Brazilian’s midfield teammate Manuel Ugarte also looks likely to leave the club, having failed to convince Ruben Amorim or Michael Carrick about his ability to play regularly.
Reports this week have suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants the club to sell the Uruguayan, who cost £50m when he joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024.
The good news for United if they make their move for Kone is that his parent club, AS Roma, are being forced to sell at least one big-name player this summer due to financial issues, with the Frenchman named as one potential player who could go, according to Il Messaggero.
Roma need to raise around £70m in capital gains, with work already underway on selling off some of their other smaller names.
Kone Would Be United’s Own Modric
Kone has suffered with some hamstring issues this season, but when he has been fit he has been a key player for the club from the Italian capital.
The 24-year-old has almost dropped into a centre-back role when Gian Piero Gasperini’s have been building attacks this season, with Total Football Analysis describing him as being a ‘tempo-setter’ like Luka Modric or Toni Kroos.
The Frenchman is seen as the calm central midfielder who drops deep, lays it off out wide, and has the passing ability to switch the play.
Because of his size and physicality, the 24-year-old is also very good at shielding the ball and bringing the ball forward confidently.
It’s unclear what his price tag will be this summer at Roma, but he is surely a name to look out for as United begin to consider options from abroad, like Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid.