Manchester United invested heavily in their midfield during the summer transfer window, but with performances still falling short of expectations, questions are emerging over whether the club actually addressed its biggest weakness or simply spent money without solving the underlying problem.

The arrivals of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans were supposed to transform the engine room, providing Michael Carrick with greater physicality, technical quality and defensive stability following Casemiro’s departure.

However, the early performances have exposed how difficult it can be to turn expensive signings into a functioning midfield, particularly when the players are still adapting to new teammates, tactical demands and the pressure of playing for Manchester United.

The concern is not necessarily that every new arrival has been poor, but that the overall midfield unit has struggled to provide the consistency and balance supporters expected after such significant investment.

United have looked vulnerable when possession is lost, with opponents finding opportunities to exploit spaces between the midfield and defence, while questions remain about how the different midfielders should complement one another.

Baleba’s athleticism and defensive qualities offer encouragement, while Santos has shown potential, but neither player can independently resolve every structural problem in a team that still needs better coordination and discipline.

Tielemans, meanwhile, brings passing quality and experience, yet his effectiveness depends on having the right support around him and a system that protects the team when attacks break down.

That is where Carrick must take responsibility, because signing talented players is only part of the job; he must also establish a midfield combination that works collectively rather than expecting individual quality to compensate for tactical weaknesses.

The situation becomes even more complicated when considering United’s defensive needs, with limited cover at left-back and centre-back leaving the squad vulnerable whenever injuries disrupt the starting eleven.

Lisandro Martínez’s recent criticism of the club’s recruitment strategy has amplified concerns that the summer spending was not distributed wisely enough, particularly when other areas of the squad still required urgent attention.

With January approaching, the club faces a difficult decision: should it continue investing in the defence as planned, or revisit the midfield concerns raised by supporters and pundits?

The sensible answer Is to avoid abandoning the defensive rebuild simply because the midfield has struggled, since strengthening one area should not come at the expense of another that is already short of reliable options.

Instead, United must assess whether their midfield problems stem primarily from recruitment, tactical organisation or the time required for new signings to settle, then use January to address the most urgent weaknesses without repeating the mistakes of the previous window.

If the club rushes into another expensive midfield signing without first understanding why the current combination is struggling, it risks creating an even more unbalanced squad.

Carrick and the recruitment department therefore need to listen to the criticism, examine the performances honestly and make decisions based on what the team genuinely lacks rather than simply chasing another big name.

United have already spent heavily on their midfield, and the new arrivals deserve time to demonstrate their value, but patience must not become an excuse for ignoring persistent problems.

The January window could determine whether the summer rebuild finally begins to deliver or whether United are forced to spend another year correcting decisions that should have been right the first time.

Sources: [The Guardian — United’s midfield rebuild and remaining problems](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/09/carlos-baleba-manchester-united-debut?utm_source=chatgpt.com)