10 midfielders are being prominently linked with moves to Manchester United.
Manchester United need to replace Casemiro this summer, and truth be told, it might take 10 players to fill his boots. Of course, budget and squad size means United must be more selective.
United’s dilemma is trying to work out which two, possibly three, midfielders should be signed to strengthen the squad, with Manuel Ugarte also expected to be sold.
More than 20 midfielders have been linked to United, and we have narrowed it down to a top 10. It’s unclear right now which way the club will go. At present various options are being explored, before the club make their move.
Here are my thoughts on the state of play surrounding the market…
- General note: It’s not about name, it’s about combination. United must find the right balance of midfielders who can fit within the budget – eg. not sign the most expensive two, or the biggest names, and the additions must work well with Kobbie Mainoo.
Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson is my number one target and I believe he is Manchester United’s too.
Whether or not United can sign Anderson will dictate the club’s approach to the rest of the players on this list.
Anderson is the most expensive target, with Nottingham Forest expected to demand a significant fee that could approach £100 million. World Cup performances could play a part too.
The case for Anderson is that he could be United’s Declan Rice. At 23, his best years are ahead of him, and he has already racked up 117 Premier League appearances.
Anderson has got it all, he is physical, he can drive play, and he is a perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo’s more graceful game.
The big question mark is whether United can get him. There is strong interest from City, and similar to Antoine Semenyo, they may simply be willing to offer more wages. Let’s hope Anderson can think bigger.
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton is the other name on this list who could push a similar price range to Elliot Anderson.
The time could be right for Wharton to leave Palace too, to seek a new challenge. However, links to United do seem to have gone quiet lately.
I feel Wharton is less likely than several others on this list because there is little momentum behind the speculation at present, and there are doubts over whether he could fit with Kobbie Mainoo.
If you are going to spend £80-100 million, you want to be certain.
The other long-term argument is that two Mainoo-type players are great to have. It would just require the right player alongside them.
You really want to be finding a partner for Mainoo with that top fee, rather than an alternative, so this is tricky.
You have £100m to spend on a midfielder – who are YOU buying, Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton?
Or is there another realistic player you would sign instead? Let us know who!
Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni appears to be a genuine option, and I can get behind that.
Tchouameni was good enough to replace Casemiro at Real Madrid, so why not Manchester United?
There is obviously a question over a lack of Premier League experience – but look at what he does bring to the table.
This is a player with more than 40 Champions League appearances and almost 200 games for Real Madrid. He can handle pressure.
United will still likely sign a player with Premier League experience to help him out. Don’t overthink this one.
How much should Man Utd pay to sign Aurelien Tchouameni? What would you consider a fair fee?
Do you think he would be the right fit for Man Utd?
Carlos Baleba
Manchester United really admire Carlos Baleba. You can tell, because rumours persist despite a very disappointing season for the midfielder.
To his credit, Baleba has picked up in recent weeks, and there is still a lot to like.
One thing is clear; Baleba cannot be the number one signing.
He needs to be a supporting act, and this is where it really could get tricky to acquire him for the right fee, with Brighton notoriously tough negotiators.
If you could add Baleba in alongside Tchouameni and Mainoo, that’s ideal.
What is the MAXIMUM you would pay for Carlos Baleba this summer?
After a tough season, how much should Manchester United be risking?
Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes is being touted like a very likely signing at this point. West Ham’s impending relegation is going to make it very hard for them to hang onto him.
A deal could be struck for around £60 million, a smart investment for a player who is only 21.
Similar to Baleba, if Fernandes was the number one signing, it would feel a little disappointing, but that’s only because he’s a long way from his full potential. Add him alongside Elliot Anderson or Aurelien Tchouameni, and United are really cooking.
A combination of Fernandes, Baleba and the next man on the list, Ederson, might be intriguing, but it would be accused of lacking star power.
Ederson
Manchester United’s recent poor record of signing players from Serie A should raise some immediate red flags on this one. Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, and Andre Onana have had a woeful hit rate.
That does not mean Ederson will flop, but it certainly gives pause for thought.
On the other hand, the Brazilian is a very intriguing market opportunity. With his contract expiring in 2027, he could be available for just £40 million.
If you nail your first signing, landing Elliot Anderson, then there is a little more freedom to take a gamble by bringing in Ederson as a supporting act.
Alex Scott
I really like Alex Scott, he is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and a real wildcard to throw into the mix.
His contract expires in 2028 which limits the potential fee Bournemouth could demand. He is a real midfield dynamo who likes to break forward and add goals from midfield.
He recently scored a winner against Arsenal at the Emirates, which speaks to his big game temperament.
If I was really greedy, my preferred three signings would be Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott.
Those three and Kobbie Mainoo and the raft of midfield academy talent – United are set for a decade.
Anderson going to City could screw that up, but Fernandes and Scott will remain shrewd buys.
Sandro Tonali
I like Sandro Tonali but I have never seen him as £100 million player, or some of the ludicrous figures thrown about, as you expect from Newcastle.
I do believe that Tonali is desperate to leave Newcastle and play Champions League football, so something has to give.
This is a deal that could be shrewd in the £65-75 million range. Anything more is an overpay.
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes is claimed to be Casemiro’s choice of successor. If he was gettable, he would be an instant fix.
There are two problems. One is that Newcastle will be almost certain to block a move for their captain.
The second is Guimaraes’ age. At 28, there is no long-term value. Combine this with the astronomical fee Newcastle would charge – it’s hard to see this one happening.
Joao Gomes
Joao Gomes ticks several boxes. Premier League experience, young, combative, potentially cheap due to Wolves’ relegation, and immediately available for pre-season after missing Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Similar to Alex Scott, he would be a second or third option to throw into the mix for depth. You can’t argue with that.
One issue is that Atletico Madrid are pushing for his signature too and United risk missing out if they don’t move quickly. But that would simply be a sign that Ineos are focusing on other options – who they feel are superior.
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