A new name has emerged as a potential midfielder target for Manchester United this summer and it may come as something of a surprise to supporters.
United are in the market for two new central midfield signings this summer, with Ederson the first man through the door in a £38million move from Atalanta, although it is yet to be confirmed. And the Red Devils have been linked with lots of other names when it comes to their second signing.
Mateus Fernandes is the one most heavily tipped to make the move, although with West Ham still demanding £80million despite their relegation to the Championship, United may be put off.
Premier League experience could be key for Manchester United
MixCollage-11-Oct-2024-02-55-PM-2739
Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni and Sandro Tonali are also still in the mix, but United could make a move to sign Sander Berge from Fulham instead.
The 28-year-old would certainly be a cheaper option than the names mentioned above, but is that what United are after?
Berge was almost an ever-present for the Whites last season, starting 34 of the club's 38 Premier League matches and was called up to Norway's squad for the 2026 World Cup as a result, with their first game taking place against Iraq on Tuesday night. He has a wealth of Premier League experience under his belt and could actually be a shrewd signing.
According to the Athletic, United are "running the rule" and could make a move, with Fulham likely to "want to make a profit on the £25million they paid two years ago".
World Cup History Quiz
You scored
↩ Play again
United have actually been linked with Berge in the past. The Red Devils considered making a move in 2024 when the midfielder left Burnley to sign for Fulham and there were rumours of him coming straight to Old Trafford in the Premier League at the age of 20 in the January transfer window of 2020.
Vincent Kompany is a big fan of the Fulham star
bayern vincent kompany
A mystery player arrived at the club's Carrington training ground, with rumours circulating that it was the Genk star. Berge was falsely claimed to be undergoing a medical ahead of a £20million move to help bolster United’s midfield options, but it was not the case.
Berge would actually sign for Sheffield United, spending three-and-a-half years at Bramall Lane before moving on to Burnley and then latterly Fulham.
The 28-year-old has a contract at Craven Cottage until 2029, with Fulham holding a one-year option to extend that to 20230 too, meaning they hold all the cards when it comes to negotiations over a transfer fee for the Norwegian.
Both Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg - who was Berge's coach at Genk - and former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany described Berge as an "intelligent" footballer and he would certainly fulfil one role in the United team, being firmly a No.6.
West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland Related
David Ornstein: Man Utd Open Talks to Sign Another West Ham Star Alongside Fernandes
Man Utd eyeing another West Ham star.