“They wanted to sign him and replace Bruno Fernandes, until Bruno accepted a new deal. They might be regretting their decisions agter Bruno Fernandes poor performances this season. He really wanted to come to Manchester United but was left heartbroken”-Fabrizio Romano reveals the blockbuster signing Man Utd missed out on during the summer transfer window as they plan to replace Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United had an active and eventful summer transfer window, securing five key signings to strengthen the squad in various areas. However, they fell short of acquiring all their targets, notably missing out on a top attacking player. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that United made a concerted effort to sign Dutch international Xavi Simons, but the player chose a different direction.
This window was crucial for United, with manager Erik ten Hag aiming to build on last season’s FA Cup victory and lead the team back into the Champions League. The signings were made with a clear strategy, focusing on key positions that needed reinforcement. Ten Hag aimed to bolster the squad’s depth, particularly in defense and midfield, to ensure competitiveness across multiple competitions.
One of the standout acquisitions was Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, brought in for £36.5 million. The versatile Dutch forward is known for his finishing ability and was signed to add attacking strength. Another major signing was French defender Leny Yoro from Lille, in a £52 million deal. Yoro, a rising talent in European football, is expected to bring youthful energy and solidify United’s defense, with Real Madrid also showing interest in him.
United also completed a notable double signing from Bayern Munich, securing Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for a combined fee of £50 million. De Ligt is regarded as one of Europe’s best center-backs, while Mazraoui’s versatility allows him to play both as a right-back and midfielder. These additions are intended to strengthen United’s defense as Ten Hag looks to form a competitive backline for both Premier League and European fixtures.
On deadline day, United sealed the transfer of Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from PSG for £42 million. Known for his toughness in midfield, Ugarte is expected to enhance United’s central play with his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and transition quickly forward, aligning with Ten Hag’s tactical approach.
Despite these significant signings, the window was somewhat overshadowed by United’s inability to sign Xavi Simons, whom Ten Hag had identified as a top target. Simons, who gained attention with his performance in Euro 2024 and a standout goal against England, was seen as the ideal addition to the attack. However, after returning to RB Leipzig from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, Simons decided to stay in Germany for another season, despite United’s early interest. Speculation remains that he could make a move to England in 2025, with potential future negotiations on the horizon.
On the field, United’s start to the season has been mixed. After four Premier League matches, they sit 10th in the table. However, a commanding 3-0 win against Southampton in the league and an impressive 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the League Cup have shown signs of promise. The Barnsley result, though against lower-league competition, highlighted United’s attacking capabilities and provided a morale boost.
Next up for United is an away fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. A victory would give Ten Hag’s side back-to-back league wins, an important step as they look to climb the standings and re-establish themselves as top contenders. As the new signings integrate into the squad, fans will be eager to see how they perform in the Premier League.
Although the transfer window has closed, the pursuit of Xavi Simons remains a topic of interest. As United continues to look for attacking reinforcements, Simons could still be part of their future plans. In the meantime, Ten Hag will focus on maximizing the potential of his current squad, and fans remain hopeful that despite missing out on Simons, the summer transfers have set the team up for a strong season.
