Manchester United are in an interesting situation in this 2025/26 Premier League season. They currently sit third in the table with 51 points from 29 matches, having won 14, drawn 9, and lost 6. This is their 34th year in the Premier League and their 51st straight season in the top flight, but they are playing without European football for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
Off the pitch, the season has been full of chaos. Ruben Amorim was sacked in January after less than 14 months in charge. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher stepped in as interim boss before Michael Carrick took over the reins for the rest of the season. Even with all this instability, the recruitment team is still working hard, as INEOS is already planning a busy summer.
Manchester United target Coulibaly as defensive rebuild takes shape
Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are starting to come together. According to Sky Sport Germany, the club have set their sights on Werder Bremen’s teenage defender, Karim Coulibaly. The Red Devils want to strengthen a backline that has been hit hard by injuries, and the 18-year-old German U21 international has become a top target. Coulibaly has had a brilliant breakout season in the Bundesliga, making 22 senior appearances and proving himself to be one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe. He also recently became Werder Bremen’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Bundesliga.
The Germany under-21 international is incredibly fast for a player of his size. It is a rare mix of traits that every top European team looks for in a defender. Being left-footed, he also brings the kind of calmness on the ball that top-tier centre-backs need. His stats are solid. He has an 86 per cent passing accuracy, 4.3 clearances, and 2.5 recoveries per game, while winning three duels per match.
Werder Bremen’s managing director, Clemens Fritz, has set an asking price between £35m and £44m. If he leaves for that price, Coulibaly would become the most expensive sale in the club’s history. Chelsea are reportedly leading the race right now and have already spoken with his agents, but Real Madrid, PSG, Napoli, and Newcastle are all keeping a close eye on him too.
Does United’s chase of Coulibaly make sense given their current instability?
To be honest, United chasing an 18-year-old centre-back for over £35m while an interim manager is in charge feels like putting the cart before the horse. United already have Ayden Heaven as a backup for Lisandro Martínez. However, the former Arsenal academy player has spent most of his time on the bench, even when Martínez was out injured. This makes you wonder if the real problem at Old Trafford is a lack of players or just a lack of clear direction from the dugout.
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Coulibaly is a massive talent, and his profile is exactly what modern, progressive systems look for in a left-sided defender. But if Manchester United spend £35m or more before they even know who their permanent head coach will be, they risk repeating the same mistakes as before: buying players for a system that might be gone by the time they settle in. The summer window needs clear leadership first, and a bid for Coulibaly should come second.
