The summer transfer window is moving at pace and Manchester United are missing out on several top targets.
Manchester United are not the only top club trying to revamp their midfield department this summer and Ineos are finding out the hard way.
Top target Elliot Anderson is joining Manchester City and Tottenham have now signed Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali in big-money deals.
United will be pleased with their early £38 million deal for Ederson, but that is now three targets that have slipped out of reach.
Which transfer targets do you NOT want Man Utd to sign?
Let's turn the transfer question on it's head, and give Jason Wilcox some advice…
Paul Scholes wanted Manchester United to sign Sandro Tonali
Halfway through the 2025/26 season, Paul Scholes confidently said that Tonali is the best midfielder in the Premier League, beating even Declan Rice.
Just a few days ago, as quoted by The Metro, Scholes doubled down and again urged United to sign Tonali as their marquee midfield arrival.
“I love Tonali from Newcastle. It looks like a few clubs are in for him, including Tottenham. I think he’s a top-class midfield player,” Scholes said.
But Ineos did not take Scholes’ advice on board and Tonali is now joining Tottenham in a £100 million deal.
Mateus Fernandes is set to join Tottenham for £85m: What is your INSTANT REACTION?
WHO do you want Man Utd to sign instead?
Sandro Tonali was the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo
I certainly haven’t said this often in recent months, but I agree wholeheartedly with Scholes.
Tonali was the perfect signing for United given what they need in midfield. The Red Devils need a top-class partner for Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
Even United’s board saw Tonali as a perfect fit. He is Premier League-proven, in his prime at 26 years old, and his style of play would complement Mainoo in midfield.
Tonali’s elite mobility and duel-winning means he could cover Mainoo’s flaws and allow him to roam forward and play to his strengths.
READ MORE: Hidden reason that Sandro Tonali’s £100m transfer is more bad news for Man Utd
Sure, a £100 million deal is expensive, but the Anderson deal has hiked prices in the Premier League, and now every midfielder will demand a huge transfer fee.
At least in Tonali, United were guaranteed a superstar midfielder. Pursuing an ‘alternative’ target means nothing more than signing a downgrade.
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