Manchester United considering move for Bayern Munich star

Manchester United spent much of the summer trying to reshape a midfield that had become a persistent source of frustration at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick’s side needed greater energy, better control of possession and more consistency in the centre of the pitch.

The club eventually brought in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba after missing out on several higher-priority targets.

However, the early signs suggest that assembling the right combination may take longer than expected, with questions emerging over the balance of the new-look midfield.

Those concerns have become more pressing after Kobbie Mainoo picked up an injury, ruling him out of tonight’s Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid.

Manchester United considering move for Bayern Munich star

According to Fussball News, United could now be considering a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, although Manchester City are currently said to be further ahead in their interest.

Fussball News claims United, City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are all seriously considering the 22-year-old, with City reportedly exploring his availability and prepared to offer as much as €100 million (£84.5 million).

Bayern, however, are understood to regard the Germany international as a key part of their plans and are reluctant to let him leave.

The reported interest comes at a difficult moment for United’s midfield.

Mainoo’s absence removes another option from Carrick’s selection, while Manuel Ugarte is facing a lengthy spell out after knee ligament surgery.

That leaves United needing their available midfielders to shoulder more responsibility as they try to steady a difficult start to the season.

There is also a question of whether United’s summer recruitment has delivered the profiles they originally wanted.

The Sun has reported that club officials privately believe the window fell short, with Santos and Tielemans described as alternatives after United were unable to secure some of their preferred targets.

That remains a reported assessment rather than an official admission from the club.

Aleksandar Pavlovic would offer a different type of option.

A Bayern academy graduate, he has developed into a central figure in the German club’s midfield, with the club praising his composure in possession and ability to read the game.

He has also become an established Germany international, having featured at the 2026 World Cup.

A move would nevertheless be complicated.

Pavlovic’s Bayern contract runs until June 2029, and the German champions have little reason to make a key young midfielder available cheaply.