Manchester United’s summer overhaul is proving more difficult than anticipated. While they’ve added Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Diego Leon, their inability to offload unwanted players, dubbed the ‘bomb squad,’ is hindering their progress. The club has received a concrete offer for Tyrell Malacia from the Saudi Pro League, following the loan departure of Marcus Rashford to Barcelona.
Malacia’s potential exit, along with others from the ‘bomb squad’ (Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Jadon Sancho), is crucial for freeing up funds and space for new signings. United are still in the market for a striker and goalkeeper, but their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez has stalled due to Villa’s high asking price (£43m). This has reportedly caused concern in Argentina, with manager Lionel Scaloni worried about Martinez being tempted by a Saudi offer ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The club’s pursuit of other targets has also hit snags, with a bid for an unnamed goalkeeper being rejected and a Premier League striker deemed unavailable. Despite these setbacks, reports suggest United are devising a plan to secure two more signings before the transfer window closes. The ongoing saga highlights the complexities of Man Utd’s transfer strategy this summer.