Manchester United have four midfielders on their shortlist, with the club’s higher-ups actively trying to fix the midfield imbalance.
Manchester United have been incredibly quiet this January transfer window, having not made a single new signing. Their attention has been elsewhere, with the settling of Michael Carrick into his new role as interim manager.
In last season’s summer transfer window, the Red Devils spent £200million summer tranfser window, focusing on bettering their attack, signing Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško and Bryan Mbeumo, who have proved vital to the club so far this campaign.
United were also expected to sign a midfielder last summer, however couldnt afford to do so. This proved a major problem for former head coach Rúben Amorim as he was left with Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro as his three natural central midfielders.
Although Mainoo has started to receive more minutes now that Carrick has filled the dugout, Casemiro’s announcement that he’s leaving Old Trafford at the end of the campaign emphasises United’s need for a new midfield option.
Man Utd explore their options
United attempted to sign Brighton star Carlos Baleba in the final weeks of the summer transfer window; however were unable to meet the Seagulls’ high price tag, requesting £100m for the Cameroonian.
With United’s front line now in good order, Baleba remains an option for this summer’s transfer window. While he remains an option, the 22-year-old has not had the same impressive season this campaign, which has caused the club’s attention to land elsewhere.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has also been closely linked with the Reds this season. The Englishman has had an incredibly impressive season, leading the Premier League for most ground duels won so far this season, demonstrating his dominance on the pitch, something United would benefit from massively.
Adam Wharton has also been rumoured to make a move to Manchester this summer. Crystal Palace’s number 20 has been vital in Oliver Glasner’s side’s success in recent seasons, and the England international is yet another player who would drastically improve United’s midfield.
Finally, a new name that’s been added to the mix is Wolves midfielder João Gomes, with many football fans comparing the Brazilian to his international teammate and soon departing Casemiro.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares for summer transfer window
Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has provided an update on United’s transfer plans, stating that club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could sanction the signing of two midfielders by the summer transfer window.
Dorsett told Sky Sports News that, “Midfield is where Man Utd feel they will focus the bulk of their spend in the summer. The way it was explained to me was: ‘if all of the club’s big targets became available in January, they would jump at it, but not by paying over the odds’.
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“Most clubs feel that if you go for a big name in January (unless they are due to be out of contract), you pay a premium.
“Carlos Baleba at Brighton is on their list, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest, they like Adam Wharton, and Joao Gomes at Wolves, so there are a number of options. They may even do two.
“Window by window, they are prioritising areas of the team. It’s a very data-led approach. Last summer, the priority was to score more goals, so that’s why they pumped £280m into three forward players.
“Now they want to solve the next imbalance and are going to address midfield. I get the impression Anderson is top of the list, but we’re talking over £100m.”
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