Manchester United still have plenty of alternatives to pivot to in their search for a new defensive midfielder this summer. Michael Carrick is hoping to build on the success he managed at Old Trafford during his interim spell now that he is the permanent boss, but he knows the level of his squad needs to improve.
While the Red Devils wound up cruising to a third-place finish, fresh talent is going to have to be added if they have any hope of catching Arsenal and Manchester City, who look to be in a league of their own as far as the Premier League goes.
One area United have little choice but to add to this summer is the defensive midfield, with Casemiro having packed his bags and departed Old Trafford. But it is an extremely costly area to invest in, and deals are not easy to reach. Fortunately for United, it looks as though they have options.
Man Utd might struggle to land Anderson
Elliot Anderson points the way for Nottingham Forest
Elliot Anderson points the way for Nottingham Forest
United have been heavily linked with Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson this summer, with the midfielder clearly on track for a big move following a superb campaign. But a number of clubs are said to be interested, and according to GIVEMESPORT's senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs, that could see the Red Devils go elsewhere, with West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, a more offensive Alex Scott and Brighton's holding midfielder Carlos Baleba also being considered.
Jacobs posted on X: "Manchester United view Elliot Anderson as a dream target, but they won’t get sucked into a bidding war, especially without player buy-in first. Cost of deal, plus a feeling Anderson favours #MCFC mean Manchester United are advancing on other targets as of now. Mateus Fernandes remains one to watch with talks underway on player side. Bournemouth will speak to Alex Scott further on his future soon and value him at around £80m. Carlos Baleba on Manchester United’s list as well."
Baleba remains an option for Manchester United
baleba brighton
Baleba, likely to cost at least £70million this summer, is just the latest smart Brighton signing to have gone from strength-to-strength at the Amex Stadium. The Cameroon international has proven a worthy successor to Moises Caicedo, and he played a pivotal role in helping the Seagulls to European qualification, playing in 31 of the 38 Premier League games.
The midfielder, described as a 'monster', is still only 22 years of age, and he has already been described as a 'great player' by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzuler, who said back in 2024: “I think he’s a great player, he’s developing and improving fast and he’s adapting to the ideas very quickly. He understands it and as I have always said he has so much potential. When we go into detail there’s so many things where you can improve, and our job is to help him and to give him this environment.”
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A combative midfielder with plenty of potential is what United are after this summer, and they would clearly prefer a player with Premier League experience - a style of recruitment that has led them well in the last year.
But Brighton are notoriously difficult to do business with, and their qualification for Europe will not help. A reported asking price of between £80million and £100million has been floated, although there are going to be very few viable options for less than £80million this summer.
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