Man Utd can sign four free agents to save millions for big transfers | Football | Sport

Manchester United‘s summer transfer activity has got off to a somewhat slow start this year, largely due to the World Cup. The majority of players are refusing to sort out their futures until their tournament involvement ends. This has required supporters to exercise patience while awaiting official confirmations. United have been working diligently to progress matters while international football is in the spotlight.

Atalanta’s Ederson is expected to be the Red Devils’ first signing and would have already been rubber-stamped were it not for the 26-year-old’s belated call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad. The Selecao’s 2-1 triumph over Japan means his unveiling has been delayed yet again. The Red Devils are trying to bring in another midfielder too. However, Manchester City and Tottenham have beaten them to Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes respectively. Sandro Tonali could also be Spurs-bound.

With various positions requiring reinforcement beyond the midfield, United may wish to explore the free transfer market to bolster their squad. With this in mind, Express Sport picks four free agents who United could sign…

United’s options for replacing Manuel Ugarte this summer have been somewhat limited. Prior to his injury, they were contemplating adding another midfielder and offloading the Uruguay international.

Because of his long-term knee injury, that has now become impossible and leaves the Red Devils with a dilemma. They could look inward, with the likes of Tyler Fletcher and Jim Thwaites catching the eye in the academy.

Alternatively, a free transfer could prove the most sensible route given the difficulty of signing a new midfielder who will know he is only a back-up. Should they pursue that path, Bissouma might well be considered as a means of bolstering midfield depth. He has just been released by Spurs following a wretched spell plagued by injuries.

He was firmly on United’s radar during his time at Brighton, and while his north London chapter proved deeply disappointing, Bissouma could nonetheless offer valuable experience in the middle of the park. He would certainly not serve as a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro but he has ample Premier League experience.

Goretzka’s World Cup came to an end in the early hours of Tuesday as Germany were knocked out on penalties by Paraguay. The 31-year-old’s attention will now turn to resolving his club future. He would bring considerable midfield know-how to United, having featured regularly for Bayern Munich throughout last season.

Goretzka represents less of a gamble than Bissouma, given that he clocked up more appearances than the former Spurs midfielder in 2025/26. There is a case to be made that he does not align with the INEOS blueprint for midfielders.

He lacks Premier League experience and is by no means a long-term investment. Yet within a young squad short on Champions League pedigree, Goretzka could prove the ideal man to bridge that gap.

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Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is viewed as a dream signing for United this summer, but his former team-mate could prove a viable alternative. Ceballos endured a difficult conclusion to his spell in Madrid, with injuries taking their toll.

That said, he would provide United with the midfield experience they so urgently require and would probably be content with a squad role if it guaranteed remaining at a Champions League club.

Ceballos also already has Premier League experience, having played for Arsenal, making him an intriguing prospect for Michael Carrick and co.

The striker’s stint at Juventus deteriorated after protracted contract talks failed to reach a conclusion. Fitness setbacks did not help Vlahovic either, and he was absent for a significant chunk of last season due to a muscular issue.

Upon his return, he netted four goals in his final four Serie A games to finish strongly. The 26-year-old is at a promising age and could be approaching his prime.

Barcelona and Chelsea have both been credited with interest in him, and he could serve as a dependable alternative to Benjamin Sesko for Carrick.