Phil Jones identifies the signing Man Utd must make next summer

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has urged the club to sign a midfield ‘destroyer’ in the summer transfer window.

United made it a priority to overhaul their misfiring attack ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all arriving through the doors for a combined fee of around £200million.

The Red Devils had also been working to capture a combative midfielder to fit Ruben Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-3 system, identifying Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba as potential targets.

Brighton have since confirmed United’s interest in Baleba on the back of the Cameroon international’s exceptional season with the Seagulls last term.

However, according to Brighton CEO Tony Bloom, United simply ‘went away’ when informed that Baleba would not be sold unless an astronomical fee was offered for the sought-after 22-year-old

It meant Amorim entered his first full season with the same midfield options he inherited from Erik ten Hag, with the Portuguese tending to favour a pivot of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

Since taking over the reins, Michael Carrick has restored Kobbie Mainoo to the side alongside Casemiro, while Fernandes has been playing in a far more advanced position – something large sections of the fanbase were demanding before Amorim’s dismissal.

United remain in the hunt for market for a central midfielder, though, and Jones is expecting the club to ‘dip into the market’ once the club have made a decision on their next permanent manager.

Asked whether United are perhaps missing that kind of player in their squad, Jones told talkSPORT: ‘Yeah, I can agree with that.

‘I think if Bruno Fernandes is going to play in a higher position and Kobbie is going to play in that six position and Casemiro now announcing he’s leaving at the end of the season, I think that’ll be a position they will potentially look to dip into the market.

‘A six, somebody who can build but also be that destroyer in there as well and also somebody who can get about the pitch.

‘But I think, when you look at the squad now, it’s madness. Everyone is fit, everyone is available, it’s tough to get a game now.

‘That’s what you need at Manchester United.’

Jones has been mightily impressed by Carrick’s start and believes his former team-mate has a knack for making the more peripheral squad members feel special.

‘The competition for places has always been massive but I also think what Michael has got is the ability to help the players who aren’t playing,’ the ex-United and England defender explained.

‘I think you’ve seen that with Cunha, the way he came off the bench against Arsenal, and that’s a big trait to have, a manager who can make you feel a huge part of the club, maybe when you’re not starting every single game.

‘We look back at Sir Alex Ferguson, that’s what he was so good at. And Michael has brought that as well.’

Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha are both enjoying promising debut seasons since arriving at Old Trafford with weighty expectations on their shoulders.

Once a big-money signing himself, Jones is confident both Mbeumo and Cunha possess the right level of ‘arrogance’ to succeed at a club of United’s stature.

‘I think you have to have that arrogance, you have to have that confidence about you,’ he said.

‘You have to walk into Manchester United and think you’re a top player because, otherwise, it can eat you up.

‘I’ve said all along that being at Manchester United for a long time, it’s pressure… no doubt about that.

‘It’s a heavy, heavy shirt to wear but, my God, it’s a rewarding one at the same time.

‘Hopefully we’ve seen in the last two games that there are big improvements and better days ahead.’

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