Manchester United’s midfield rebuild is suddenly 66% complete, but Michael Carrick still needs another addition, which, in a dream world, would be Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Real Madrid midfielder has been a pipe dream this summer for Manchester United supporters, but it now feels unlikely.
Aurelien Tchouameni looks set to pen a new contract in Madrid, which would end United’s hopes. However, despite this, there has been a suggestion from Andy Mitten that United remain in the running for Tchouameni, as he may yet be sold even with a new deal.
But if Tchouameni ends up being unattainable for United, there are three cheaper alternatives that should come in to complete the midfield revamp.
WHO will be Man Utd’s THIRD midfielder signing to go with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans? Who do you want?
Which midfielder do you think would fit United's rebuild best? What do we need next?
Chema Andres – £30m
Manchester United have been linked with Angelo Stiller in the past year, but his Stuttgart teammate Chema Andres is a talent that could be far more appealing than the German.
At 21, Andres is already making his mark in the Bundesliga, looking like Spain’s next great midfielder in the mould of a Sergio Busquets and Rodri physically.
Andres stands at 6ft 4in tall, making him formidable in the air and in all defensive situations. Meanwhile, he is deceptively elusive when he gets running with the ball. He is a great progressive passer, but right now doesn’t quite have the game controlling passing that would shoot him into prime contention for a place in Spain’s first-team.
He is an impressive talent, but Andres is undoubtedly too much of a ‘project’ midfielder for United to spend likely upwards of £30m on this summer, especially when he isn’t guaranteed to be a starter, United have youth talents that can take up the role he would occupy.
Besides, if United advanced in a deal for Andres, Real Madrid would likely just trigger their buy-back clause worth around £10m, making it a deal we can’t see happening, at least this summer.
IF Andrey Santos is available to play Wrexham, who would you like to see him start alongside out of the available options?
Andrey Santos is training already!
Sander Berge – £30m
Another option for United could be potentially a very underwhelming name in Sander Berge, but when you look beyond the name, he becomes a brilliant option.
United missed out on Berge two years ago and he has since become a regular for Fulham, shining each season and is stylistically quite similar to Tchouameni.
Berge is only 28, so in his prime years, yet seems to get better as he ages, with his 2026 World Cup performances for Norway really impressive and eye-catching.
United need a player like Berge, one who offers the height and on ball ability as a true number six, not to start every game but to feature in games where United might be slightly under the cosh.
Berge would potentially be a bargain for United, with his qualities and character exactly what Ineos are looking for to round out the window. One negative could be that he won’t please the entire fanbase who are expecting a more glamorous name.
But Berge is a player United should absolutely be looking at.
Manu Kone – £45m
Finally, the name which is gaining a lot of momentum right now around United, Manu Kone, who was Tchouameni’s fill-in during the 2026 World Cup for France.
However, the difference between Kone and Tchouameni is staggering, as shown against Spain when the Roma midfielder in particular looked out of his depth.
Kone, however, is a very talented midfielder anyway and for £45m he could be a steal this summer to make it three excellent midfield signings for United, without breaking the bank.
One question mark around this deal would be whether Kone is too similar to Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and if United need to be looking for a more elite defensive, physical profile who has the height and ability to cover lots of ground.
We wouldn’t be shocked if this one got completed after the World Cup, but whether it is ideal or not remains to be seen.
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