European giants make decision on future of CL-winning midfield maestro wanted by United – report

Manchester United are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a new midfielder. The Red Devils are working to get back to their heyday under Ruben Amorim’s guidance and invested heavily in the squad this summer. However, the job is far from over, as evidenced by a topsy-turvy season so far. The Premier League giants are seventh in the league table after 13 games, with six wins and four defeats. United also exited the EFL Cup in the second round at the hands of Grimsby Town, and further additions to the squad are necessary in 2026. Recent reports have suggested that the Red Devils are targeting midfield reinforcements next year and have identified Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde as an option. A world class midfielder United’s strategy of adding two Premier League-proven players, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, to their squad this summer has already paid dividends. The Red Devils are expected to continue that approach in 2026 and remain linked with Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, all of whom have flourished in the top tier of English football. Yet the Premier League giants’ interest in Valverde is also justified. The Uruguayan is a world-class midfielder who has enjoyed tremendous success with Real Madrid. This season, Valverde has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos, 15 of which have been starts. Federico Valverde Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played LaLiga13–41–1,024′ UEFA Champions League4––––360′ Total17–41–1,384′ Source: Transfermarkt. However, recent reports have spoken of a rift between the 27 year old and manager Xabi Alonso, and United are now planning to take advantage of the situation. Valverde could add trophy-winning experience and a touch of class to Ruben Amorim’s midfield, but it appears that prising him away from the Santiago Bernabeu will not be easy. Real Madrid want Valverde stay According to Fichajes, Real Madrid have no desire to let Valverde leave and will only consider his exit for a historic proposal. The LaLiga giants previously allowed Casemiro to join United in 2022, but they consider the Uruguayan’s situation completely different. Valverde is about to enter his prime, and his versatility makes him an asset to Los Blancos. While Real Madrid are aware of the Red Devils’ interest in their star, they consider him untouchable. Final Thoughts The Peoples Person recently relayed a report stating that Valverde has no desire to join United, which also raises doubts about the possibility of a deal. The English giants may not be a lucrative destination for the Uruguayan due to their prolonged struggles on the pitch. While there is no doubt that Valverde’s potential arrival could transform the Red Devils’ fortunes, there is no point wasting time on a pursuit that is unlikely to materialise. United would be better advised to stick to Premier League-proven players like Wharton, Baleba and Anderson, although securing their services will not be easy either. 🚨🚨| The 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝟓 fastest players in the Champions League this season: 1. Nany Dimata (𝟯𝟵.𝟲 𝗸𝗺/𝗵)2. Loïs Openda (𝟯𝟲.𝟮 𝗸𝗺/𝗵)3. Bradley Barcola (𝟯𝟱.𝟵 𝗸𝗺/𝗵)4. Emerick Aubameyang (𝟯𝟱.𝟴 𝗸𝗺/𝗵)5. Federico Valverde (𝟯𝟱.𝟴 𝗸𝗺/𝗵) pic.twitter.com/jF7umDh1aw — CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 29, 2025 Featured image Denis Doyle via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.