Michael Carrick’s Manchester United have stabilised after a difficult start to the season, and thoughts at Old Trafford have turned firmly toward the summer. Two names are consistently emerging from United’s recruitment discussions — Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Tottenham’s Archie Gray — and while neither deal is close to being formalised, they illustrate the direction the club intends to move.
Robinson, 28, is the more straightforward proposition. The American international has been one of the most consistent left-backs in the league for three seasons and is now entering the final two years of his Fulham contract, a situation that gives the west London club every incentive to sell this summer rather than lose him for nothing in 2027.
Football Insider reports that United have added him to their shortlist as they search for long-term cover and eventual competition for Luke Shaw, whose injury record makes reliance on him alone a structural risk.
Liverpool were also linked, but they have reportedly cooled on the 28-year-old, viewing him as too old to be the long-term successor to Andy Robertson. That arguably clears the path for United, though Robinson’s preference between the two clubs, should both firm up their interest, remains unclear.
The Archie Gray situation is considerably more complex and is entirely contingent on Tottenham’s fate at the bottom of the table. At 20, Gray has been one of the few Spurs players to emerge from the 2025-26 campaign with any credit, producing performances of genuine quality despite the chaos around him. He is capable of playing in defensive midfield, as a box-to-box operator, and across multiple positions in the back line. His contract runs to 2030, meaning Spurs can demand a premium — around £50-55 million is the quoted figure — even in the event of relegation.
United face real competition here. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have both been described as “increasingly keen” on Gray by TeamTalk, while Chelsea and Aston Villa are the Premier League rivals with documented interest. At United, the midfield remains a concern — Casemiro is expected to leave as a free agent this summer, Manuel Ugarte has struggled for consistency, and Benjamin Sesko has started only three matches in 2026. Gray would represent a younger, more versatile option at a price that, while significant, is more attainable than some of the alternatives.
Carrick’s ability to attract these players will also depend heavily on what kind of season United finish with. Currently sixth, European qualification remains within reach. Whether that is enough to tip a decision for any of the targets being courted remains to be seen, but the groundwork is clearly being laid.
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