It's difficult to know what to make of Manchester United's methods so far this summer, with the Old Trafford hierarchy trying their best not to repeat the mistakes of the past, yet also now in danger of being left empty-handed.

Indeed, there is wisdom in the decision not to pay over the odds for targets, particularly those not fully set on joining the club, with INEOS having credit in the bank following an improved year of transfer business in 2025.

On the flip side, the counterpoint would be that while United don't want to repeat the costly deals of the likes of Antony and Rasmus Hojlund, at some stage they will need to get the chequebook out, or risk missing out on every priority target.

The £116m move of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City has already inflated the midfield market, as seen in the eye-watering £85m sum that has been dished out by Tottenham Hotspur for Mateus Fernandes, a player fresh off the back of a second successive Premier League relegation.

Losing out on the Portuguese playmaker certainly isn't fatal for the Red Devils, not least with the club already brimming with exciting young midfield targets.

Why Man United could look to Carrington to solve midfield conundrum

With Casemiro out the door and Manuel Ugarte in line for an extended period on the sidelines, Michael Carrick's squad is looking so light on midfield options, even amid the suggestion that Atalanta's Ederson is set to be the first arrival in the door.

A more marquee name is likely set to follow, but the third midfielder that is being craved might well have to come from Carrington, with pre-season providing the perfect chance for a string of youngsters to impress.

There is a raft of players set to return from their loan spells this summer, with hopes still high for 20-year-old Sekou Kone, even after a quiet few months at Swiss side Lausanne in 2026.

Dan Gore, part of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning side, is also back in the building, while 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Jacob Devaney, has put himself in the frame following a fine six-month stint at St Mirren.

Looking to the academy ranks too, a chance may come before too long for 18-year-old Jim Thwaites, while Tyler Fletcher might have edged ahead of twin brother Jack in the midfield pecking order, having notably been a late call-up to Scotland's World Cup squad.

After a handful of first-team outings last term, the teenage Tyler looks the most likely to have a chance of forcing his way into the senior set-up on a permanent basis, while perhaps a change of management could also provide a fresh start for 22-year-old, Toby Collyer.

Supporters may wish for glamour, marquee names, but it is Carrington that has so often provided the goods in recent times.

Man Utd already have a bigger talent than Mateus Fernandes

United, following a decade of scattergun spending, can't exactly mock the moves made by their rivals, but there might be a fair few at Old Trafford feeling like they've dodged a bullet by not going big on young Fernandes.

The involvement of his agent, Jorge Mendes, is enough to send shivers down the spine, the Portuguese having been the architect behind Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte moving to Manchester in 2024.

Equally too, you do have to wonder, if Fernandes is worth £85m, how much would Kobbie Mainoo command in the current market?

Hailed as a future "£100m footballer" by the MEN's Tyrone Marshall, it was only a year ago that Mainoo looked to potentially be up for grabs, amid interest from Chelsea in a permanent move.

Heading into January too, a loan switch to Napoli was also mooted, with the Stockport-born sensation failing to start a single Premier League game in the first half of the season.

That all changed after Ruben Amorim's self-implosion, however, with Mainoo subsequently starting every league game of Carrick's tenure, excluding the defeat to Leeds United.

Now part of England's World Cup squad, the 21-year-old has reminded everyone just what a talent he is, a player who provides the calm even in the pressurised environment of Old Trafford.

He might be the same age as Fernandes, yet Mainoo's pedigree is surely far higher, not least due to his body of work in recent seasons.

In 2023/24, for instance, he forced his way into Erik ten Hag's starting XI, memorably netting the winner in the FA Cup final, before securing a place at Euro 2024.

That involvement saw Mainoo ultimately start every knockout game, including the final, as the Three Lions ground their way through the competition, the youngster making such a fine impact even as a teenager.

In Fernandes' case, he was still omitted from Portugal's World Cup squad this time around, while two seasons of Premier League woe at Southampton and West Ham certainly count against him, after previously being sold by Amorim at Sporting CP.

There is credit in being a shining light in a struggling side, but it's more telling to be a central figure for an elite outfit, just like Mainoo has been again in 2026 at United.

Mainoo too is a man with big moments behind him, twice scoring against Liverpool at Old Trafford, while memorably netting that equaliser against Lyon in 2024/25.

So often, supporters and pundits alike obsess over the shiny new toy, but the Red Devils need to remind themselves that they already have a potential £100m player of their own at the base of the midfield.