Story byPablo Barrios: Man United joined by PL rival in race for Atletico starThe Peoples PersonWed, January 21, 2026 at 8:45 PM UTC·4 min readManchester United are braced for a red-hot transfer battle to sign Pablo Barrios, with two of Europe’s leading clubs also tracking the Atletico Madrid dynamo, according to the latest report. Midfield is the priorityTEAMtalk reveals the Red Devils remain intent on “signing a top-class midfielder” in 2026, with their plan unchanged by the shock departure of Ruben Amorim earlier this month. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMichael Carrick has taken the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the season, and the 44-year-old coach has immediately implemented a 4-2-3-1 system in place of the Portuguese’s much-maligned 3-4-2-1. A new long-term replacement for Amorim is expected to be appointed this summer, when the pool of candidates will grow, though Carrick is believed to have one eye on winning the job permanently. Regardless of who is at the helm next season, at least one, if not two, high-profile midfielders will be signed, given the continued uncertainty over the futures of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and even Bruno Fernandes. United were understood to be prioritising options within the Premier League–with Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion) the primary targets. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, Barrios emerged as an option under serious consideration last month after scouts were impressed by his performances when they were in attendance to watch his teammate, Conor Gallagher. Gallagher was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford himself this month, but ended up joining Tottenham Hotspur instead. It is believed United would have pursued a deal had Atletico been open to a loan deal, but the 25-year-old midfielder’s limitations on the ball meant there was little interest in a permanent transfer, despite his strengths off it. There is no such worry about Barrios, however, with the Spain international offering a complete skillset in Diego Simeone’s engine room–a manager notorious for being demanding on his midfielders. The 22-year-old combines the skill and technique that are hallmarks of La Liga with an industry and intensity out of possession that makes him ideally suited to English football. Sources reveal he is “spoken about glowingly” at the Theatre of Dreams, with their scouts blown away in person. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA report explained by The Peoples Person even revealed United were considering a €100 million bid to prise the Spaniard from the Metropolitano Stadium, with his contract containing a €120m release clause – but the Red Devils are not alone in their interest.
