Manchester United Target Martin Baturina for Midfield Reconstruction
Manchester United have stepped into the chase for Croatia and Como midfielder Martin Baturina, the World Cup breakout who stunned England with a spectacular strike and has already seen a £43 million bid rejected this summer.
Carrick’s midfield rebuild gathers pace
Michael Carrick’s first full summer in charge is turning into a full-scale midfield reconstruction. A deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is close to completion, the Brazilian earmarked as a key pillar of the new-look engine room.
Casemiro has already departed. Manuel Ugarte, once a serious Old Trafford target, is now expected to reunite with Ruben Amorim at AC Milan. The gaps are obvious, and United’s recruitment team is moving aggressively to fill them.
United have cooled their interest in Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson, unwilling to be dragged into a straight fight with Manchester City. Sandro Tonali, another long-standing name on their list, is drifting towards City, Arsenal or even Tottenham.
Attention, then, has swung sharply to Como – and to Baturina.
Baturina’s star rises on the biggest stage
The 23-year-old announced himself to a global audience on Wednesday. With Croatia trailing England, Baturina picked up the ball, shaped his body and unleashed a vicious, curling effort beyond Jordan Pickford. It was Croatia’s first equaliser and a reminder that some players don’t just cope with the big stage – they light it up.
England eventually overpowered Croatia in the second half, but the damage to defenders’ scouting reports was done. Baturina’s name is now circling around the recruitment departments of Europe’s elite.
He only joined Como last summer from Dinamo Zagreb for £22 million, yet his value has rocketed. Sky Sports Italy report that United and Aston Villa are among the clubs tracking him closely, with Bayern Munich also enquiring about his availability.
Como dig in as bids arrive
Cesc Fabregas and the Como hierarchy are not in the mood to sell. The club have already knocked back a £43 million offer for Baturina, underlining just how central he is to their plans.
They have good reason to be stubborn. Baturina delivered eight goals and four assists last season for a Como side that has just qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. He wasn’t padding his stats in a free role either – he split his time between attacking midfield and the left wing, offering tactical flexibility and end product in equal measure.
That versatility is exactly what appeals to Carrick. United want another midfielder, but they are also actively searching for a left-sided attacker with Marcus Rashford expected to leave. Baturina ticks both boxes: a player who can drift between lines, carry the ball, and still threaten the goal.
Rashford’s future opens a door
Rashford’s situation hangs over United’s summer. The club have reportedly reduced the England forward’s asking price to accelerate a sale, a bold move given his status and ceiling. Rio Ferdinand has publicly urged United to reconsider, calling for a U-turn on the decision to offload an academy star who once looked like the face of the club’s future.
The market, though, is unforgiving. United need funds, they need balance, and they need a new core. That reality is pushing them towards players like Baturina – younger, versatile, and on an upward curve.
For now, Como are holding their ground. Bayern have asked the question, Aston Villa are watching, and United are circling. A £43 million bid has already been turned away.
If Carrick gets his way and United return with something stronger, the next thunderous strike from Martin Baturina might not be against England on neutral turf, but at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End.
