Manchester United Have Officially Made A FORMAL OFFER For A New Signing — Just Days After That Famous 2–0 Victory Over Manchester City
Manchester United have reportedly wasted little time capitalising on their emphatic derby success, moving quickly behind the scenes with a formal move in the transfer market.
Only hours after dispatching Manchester City 2–0, the Red Devils are said to have lodged an official bid for a midfielder as they aim to keep their momentum rolling both on the pitch and in recruitment.
It has been a dream start for Michael Carrick in the dugout. The victory over City lifted United into the Premier League’s top five, with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu finding the net in a performance full of confidence and control. In reality, the margin could have been wider, with three further goals chalked off for offside, highlighting just how threatening United were throughout the contest.
Carrick’s tactical imprint was evident. United defended in a compact and disciplined 4-4-2 shape, making themselves difficult to play through, before breaking forward sharply and decisively on the counter. The blend of organisation and attacking intent offered genuine encouragement and hinted at a clear identity beginning to take shape under the new head coach.
With early exits from both domestic cup competitions already confirmed, United’s focus for the rest of the season is firmly on league performance. Qualifying for the Champions League has become the central objective, and there is a growing belief inside the club that January reinforcements could prove decisive.
Midfield is viewed as the most urgent area for improvement. Carrick currently has Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as his main senior options across two central positions. While United admire several highly rated talents, including Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, those targets are widely considered unrealistic during the January window.
As a result, attention has turned to a more achievable option. Ruben Neves has re-entered the conversation, with the former Wolves captain’s contract at Al-Hilal set to expire at the end of the season. Recent reports have suggested Carrick would receive financial backing should Neves become available mid-campaign.
That possibility now appears to be gaining traction. Spanish outlet Fichajes claims United have submitted an opening bid, with Al-Hilal open to considering offers around €23 million. United’s proposal is said to be close to that figure, raising hopes that talks could move swiftly.
The main hurdle could be Neves’ wages. He is believed to earn close to £300,000 per week in Saudi Arabia, a figure comparable to Bruno Fernandes’ salary at Old Trafford. However, under INEOS’ new footballing structure, cutting down the wage bill is a key priority, meaning Neves would likely need to accept a significant pay cut to secure a Premier League return.
At 28, Neves aligns with INEOS’ preference for players with proven top-flight experience, following the recent arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. With Casemiro nearing the end of his deal and uncertainty surrounding the futures of Fernandes and Ugarte, reinforcing the midfield remains a crucial part of United’s longer-term planning.
There is also optimism around Mainoo’s progress. The derby marked his first full 90-minute league appearance of the season, and he is expected to grow into an increasingly influential role under Carrick. His contract runs until 2027, with the club holding an option to extend further, underlining how highly United rate his potential for the future.
