Summer 2026 Transfer Window: Manchester United and Tottenham Struggle to Impress
The Premier League’s spending spree continued this summer, with clubs pouring money into new signings. Yet, some top spenders have found their hefty investments failing to produce promising results in the opening weeks of the season.
Below we examine the key transfers from this window and review which players have made a strong impact and which have disappointed so far.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mixed Starts
Manchester United finally began revamping their midfield, but the initial impact has been underwhelming. Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa, hasn’t met expectations. Meanwhile, Carlos Baleba remains sidelined with an ankle injury, delaying his debut. Another signing, Brazil’s Andrey Santos from Chelsea, was expected to replace Casemiro long-term but has struggled significantly. Santos started in losses to Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion and has only managed 42 minutes combined in other appearances. The team needs their midfield to settle quickly after a sluggish start.
Tottenham Hotspur have fared even worse, sitting at the bottom after five games with two draws and three losses. Despite splashing over €200 million on midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, both have failed to deliver. Manager Roberto De Zerbi has yet to find a rhythm with them. Defender Jan Paul van Hecke has also struggled to adapt to the demands of a top-six club, showing poor defensive awareness. Spurs may regret trading away Luka Vuskovic to bring him in.
Brighton and Brentford Outshine Their Rivals
Brighton & Hove Albion capitalized on Tottenham’s missteps by signing Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who had not featured for Spurs but impressed during a loan in Germany’s Bundesliga. Vuskovic has become a regular starter and helped Brighton rise to third place. His adaptability across different tactics highlights Brighton’s sharp eye for talent.
Brentford also continue their knack for scouting players who can be developed and sold at profit. Their latest prospect, Malian midfielder Mamadou Sangare, arrived from Ligue 1 club Lens and has already made a noticeable impact. His energetic performance in the opening match left Tottenham’s midfield chasing shadows. His ongoing progress suggests he could be a star in the making.
Other Promising Newcomers
- James Trafford (Leeds United): Has conceded just three goals in five league matches, stabilizing Leeds’ defense.
- Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool): Brought solidity to Liverpool’s backline after a shaky previous season.
Early form indicates that Manchester United might have missed out by overlooking talents like Sangare this summer, as rivals continue to find value and success in the transfer market.
