Manchester United “agreed a deal with Middlesbrough for the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Radek Vitek for an initial £7m, rising to a potential £14m depending on performances”. Midfield depth still looks central to Manchester United transfer plansThe strongest part of The Athletic’s update concerns the engine room, and it is easy to see why. Even in an era of broader market power, Manchester United retain an emotional pull, especially on young footballers imagining where ambition can be staged most grandly. Champions League return raises the standard for this Manchester United squadThe broader context is impossible to ignore. At clubs such as Manchester United, summers are not judged solely by number of deals completed.