Manchester United are already laying down plans for 2026 after an eventful summer transfer window. The Red Devils deployed all their efforts into improving their attack, investing around £200m on recruiting Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko.
Senne Lammens was also signed on transfer deadline day to upgrade their options between the sticks. The work, however, is not done yet, as outlined by the team’s struggles this season.
United are 10th in the Premier League table, with three wins from seven league games. They have already exited the EFL Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town.
It is believed that INEOS will focus on midfield in 2026, while a new goalkeeper is likely to be on the agenda as well. However, the Red Devils could also be tempted to reinforce their backline next year.
A replacement for Harry Maguire
Ruben Amorim has deployed a back three of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Luke Shaw in most games this season. However, Shaw is injury-prone, already on the wrong side of 30, and is not the first choice for the left centre-back role.
The position arguably belongs to Lisandro Martinez, but the Argentine defender has suffered from fitness issues as well, and is currently recovering from an ACL injury. With Harry Maguire’s contract up at the end of this season, United could be forced to invest in a new defender next year.
Recent reports have suggested that the Premier League giants have their eyes on Bayern Munich strongman Dayot Upamecano. The Frenchman is also in the final 12 months of his contract and is yet to sign a new deal.
It now appears that the Red Devils are eyeing a LaLiga star as well.
LaLiga’s rising star
According to Fichajes, United have set their sights on Elche defender David Affengruber. The Austrian has been a revelation for the Spanish side since arriving at the Estadio Martinez Valero in the summer of 2024 from Sturm Graz.
Affengruber was indispensable for Eder Sarabia’s side last season, registering 42 appearances across competitions and helping them earn promotion to LaLiga. He has started eight of the nine games this season, with Elche registering just one defeat so far.
The 24-year-old’s efforts have already earned him admirers at the Theatre of Dreams. The player’s contract also expires next summer, making him a lucrative prospect for the Red Devils.
Affengruber’s tactical discipline, aerial dominance and ability to be decisive in tackles have also turned heads at Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. Elche, though, don’t want to let him go in the middle of the campaign.
The Austrian has been a leader at the back for Sarabia so far, and the Spanish manager has urged the LaLiga side to keep hold of their star.
However, the lure of the Premier League could be too much for the player to resist. Affengruber has a €15m market value, but that could significantly increase if he continues his stellar rise.
Feature image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images
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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.
