Why Conor Gallagher to Man Utd Feels Like Another Mistake Waiting to Happen Under Ruben Amorim
INEOS’ primary priority for 2026 is to sign a dynamic midfielder for Ruben Amorim, but Manchester United’s “genuine interest” in Conor Gallagher, according to Fabrizio Romano, is as disappointing as it is perplexing.
The need for a new central midfielder seems less urgent than it was even a few weeks ago due to Casemiro’s improvement in form, as shown by United giving up just three goals with him on the pitch and sixteen goals without him.
Nevertheless, the Old Trafford hierarchy still wants to prioritise strengthening that area of the team.
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“The right players who are talented but also who can deal with the pressure” will be the primary emphasis of recruitment, according to Football Director Jason Wilcox.
He went on, “They have to be someone who can bring something different to the team and have the right character.”
It’s difficult to see how Gallagher, who traded Chelsea for Atletico Madrid for £34 million in the summer of 2024, would fit into Amorim’s squad to make that impact, even if he clearly satisfies the first and possibly the second requirements.
As the summer transfer window was drawing to an end, the Red Devils reportedly expressed interest in Gallagher after enquiring about Carlos Baleba’s availability and being informed by Brighton that he would cost them £100 million.
Romano told CaughtOffside, “I told you several times that Man United wants to add a midfielder, but right now it might be difficult to go for a very expensive midfielder in the January transfer window.”
It’s possible that players like Carlos Baleba are unavailable. Connor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid was one of the names Manchester United considered in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The same is true for Angelo Stiller. If Atletico Madrid decides to allow a loan move, Conor Gallagher is still a possibility.
Gallagher is currently only focused on Atletico Madrid. Since August, Manchester United has been genuinely interested.
However, Gallagher is one of their alternatives in the event that it could be a loan possibility or a standard general arrangement.
Thus, we’ll be keeping an eye on things. However, Gallagher’s name must remain there. The signing would not be that impressive.
Before leaving for La Liga, Gallagher was excellent in a terrible Chelsea club, but he is a workaholic and falls into the same “safe pair of hands” category as Mason Mount.
This season, he has only made four starts for Atletico. There will be serious doubts about his ability to lead Manchester United, but more importantly, there will be concerns about how he would even fit into their squad.
Kobbie Mainoo isn’t playing because he can’t give Bruno Fernandes the counterbalance that Casemiro or, presumably, Manuel Ugarte can. And Gallagher would undoubtedly be the same.
We can see Amorim’s need for diligent fighters in midfield, but they need to focus their search, which now appears to be very broad, to only include players who can work well with his captain. That man isn’t Conor Gallagher.
Why Gallagher Doesn’t Fit the Bigger Picture for Amorim’s United
What make the transfer hard is how specific Amorim’s system is, he wants midfielders who can attack, recycle possession quickly and break lines with forward passes.
That profile favours younger, technically gifted players with energy. Think about Ugarte or a creative Baleba-type rather than a reliable grinder.
Signing Gallagher would be a safe, short-term fix: good, hardworking, but he clearly lacks the transgressive control to change games in the way Amorim’s recruitment brief seems to demand.
There’s also the cultural fit to consider. United supporters hunger for signings who arrive with a clear identity and an upward arc; a loan feels like admitting the club couldn’t secure its first choice. And with next summer’s window looming, the club must balance patience with ambition.
Over-eager moves risk repeating old mistakes, buying for comfort rather than what they need exactly. Fans know this story — incremental additions can stabilise results, but genuine progression comes from calculated risks.
If INEOS want a statement, they should target the player who forces a tactical rethink, not the one who merely fills a slot.
Ultimately this is bigger than one name, it’s about purchasing a midfield that can consistently carry United through big games, not just filling the current missing space.
