Manchester United are in the market for a new midfielder this summer as a result of Casemiro leaving, but face stiff competition from their inner city rivals
Michael Carrick looks on
Michael Carrick looks set for a busy summer window(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Manchester United's plans of securing a cheap successor for Casemiro could be thwarted by City's hopes of a midfield monopoly this summer. The Reds are currently in the market for reinforcement to their engine room, after the Brazilian made the decision to part ways with Old Trafford at the end of 2025/26.
While a number of suitable candidates to fill the void he leaves behind have emerged as of recent, City could prove to be a thorn in the side of their inner city rivals - given both sides are considering similar players. City are also in need of a new central midfielder following Bernardo Silva's departure for Real Madrid, while Rodri could follow suit in a post-Pep Guardiola era.
City would be left threadbare in the centre of the park should a deal materialise. for the Spaniard. Both United and City are reportedly keen on Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali ahead of the new season, given just how much of a shining light the Italian has been in an otherwise struggling side.
With no European football at St James' Park next season, it is thought that Tonali could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football under either Manchester club. However, a deal for the 26-year-old will not come cheap, given he is currently under contract until 2028 and the Magpies are keen to keep a hold of him and value him at over £100m at present.
United and City are also understood to be interested in Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, who is currently plying his trade with England at the 2026 World Cup following a standout individual season domestically. Again, with Anderson under contract until 2029 at the City Ground, any respective suitor will likely pay a substantial fee to secure him ahead of the new term.
With the Athletic estimating that a swoop for both men could cost as much as £200m, City snagging both could inflate the midfield market across the board. While United have other options to pursue in the event they are unable to sign either Tonali or Anderson, they could end up paying a premium for a player who isn't quite on the same level.
It is understood that the Reds are also monitoring Mateus Fernandes' situation at West Ham United. Given the Hammers have just suffered relegation to the Championship after a dismal season in the English top flight, there has been speculation that the East London outfit could slash player transfer prices to lighten their wage bill.
However, an inflated market could see West Ham stand firm in their valuation of Fernandes £80m, considering the 21-year-old still arguably has his best years ahead of him. That would, in-turn, see United cough up a large chunk of their transfer kitty for a player who isn't as proven as Tonali or Anderson, also affecting their business across the board with other areas in need of improvement.
At 30, Luke Shaw is into the last year of his own deal at Old Trafford, and United would be wise to bring in a long-term replacement for the England international as he enters the twilight years of his career.
Considering the club are also linked with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Martin Baturina, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Crysencio Summerville at the moment, they may also be planning on bolstering their attacking line, despite Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko thriving in part last season.
It looks to be a busy summer window on either side of Greater Manchester, with Michael Carrick preparing for his first full season at the helm of United while Enzo Maresca looks likely to arrive in the City camp to succeed an outgoing Guardiola.