Should Manchester United explore a move for Morgan Rogers?
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Morgan Rogers of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium on March 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images Manchester United had one more major link in between matches, a 24-day chasm between the draw at Bournemouth and a clash with Leeds United at home next Monday. The Telegraph’s Jason Burt got one more mention in, so let’s talk about it.
Burt wrote that Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is in demand in a potential tug of war between United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder/wide forward has been on the rise since moving from Middlesbrough to Villa in 2024, and has 27 goals in 114 appearances across all competitions since then. Rogers has also earned a call-up to the England national team in that time, picking up 13 caps and scoring in a friendly against Wales in 2025.
He is a talented player on the rise, but for United to consider a move, there is also the issue of price and need in the squad. Rogers would be in competition for the squad spots currently occupied by Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and, more recently, Patrick Dorgu. Without question, he would be a welcome competitor in that room and would offer even more flexibility up front for a squad that has had plenty of experimentation over the past year.
But, at the price reported by Burt (between £80m-£100m), it would be another significant investment up front as the club is planning for other areas of need in midfield. Rogers is more than capable of playing in a midfield three, but is typically at the top of it, where Bruno Fernandes operates back in his preferred role. Rogers is certainly an option as a long-term replacement or rotational spot there, but in terms of getting on the pitch right away he would likely be on the left.
It is notable that Rogers was signed from Manchester City’s academy by Boro in the second full season under Michael Carrick, now the interim boss at Manchester United with a shot at securing the big job on a permanent basis. “You could always see what he was possibly going to be capable of and the potential in terms of his attributes, the way he carries the ball, he can play off his left foot, play off his right foot, create and score goals and really good athletically,” Carrick said of Rogers ahead of a clash with Villa at Old Trafford, “so there were a lot of things there when we took him to start with…he is a good person, great to work with so I am delighted he has done so well. ” If Carrick is made the new manager this summer, Rogers makes a lot of sense.