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Bolstering Manchester United’s midfield is expected to be top of INEOS’ agenda in 2026.

Ideally, United should have pulled off a marquee midfield signing last summer, but they did not.

A move for top target Carlos Baleba failed to materialise after Brighton & Hove Albion made it clear the midfielder was not going anywhere.

Having missed out on their priority target, United opted against panic buying, shelving plans to bring in a midfielder.

While United’s midfield has looked decent at times, it has occasionally been exposed, highlighting the need for a more dynamic presence in the middle of the park.

Several top midfielders have since been linked with a 2026 Old Trafford switch.

Andrey Santos

One of those midfielders is Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.

Santos was also linked with a move to United last summer following his impressive loan spell at Strasbourg. There was talk of him being requested as part of the Alejandro Garnacho deal to Chelsea.

However, nothing came of those rumours, with the Samba star remaining at Chelsea.

At Stamford Bridge, the midfielder has struggled for minutes, with Moisés Caicedo enjoying his best run yet in a blue shirt and his partnership with Enzo...