Manchester United have been linked with a move for Sandro Tonali and his physical attributes should make the Newcastle United star a top target.
This month has been full of reports of Manchester United’s interest in Sandro Tonali ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window.
Tonali is expected to cost around £100m this summer, which would break United’s transfer record currently set by the £89m deal for Paul Pogba in 2016.
What are your thoughts on Manchester United’s supposed interest in Sandro Tonali?
Where should he rank in comparison to other central midfield targets?
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But Ineos are expected to invest heavily to strengthen United’s midfield, and a high-profile addition from the Premier League is expected.
Reports suggest Elliot Anderson is United’s top target, but Tonali’s physical prowess, including his pace, could put his name at the top of the shopping list.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Mason Mount of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester United FC at St James' Park on April 13, 2025
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Sandro Tonali is among Europe’s fastest midfielders
Under Ruben Amorim and now Michael Carrick, United have become one of the most physically dominant teams in the Premier League, and that is evident through the excellent set-piece record as well as the distance covered in matches.
Carrick has put more focus on player running power since taking charge, and United will no doubt want a midfielder capable of handling the Premier League’s physical demands in the summer.
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According to the latest CIES Football Observatory study, Tonali has hit a top speed of 33.24km/h in the Champions League this season, ranking him fourth among all midfielders in the competition.
United already have some of the fastest players in the league, with Benjamin Sesko’s 35.47km/h top speed making him one of the quickest strikers. The likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu are not far behind in terms of raw speed.
Tonali has already proven he has the engine to run a Premier League midfield, and his top speed blows the likes of Elliot Anderson out of the water.
Sandro Tonali is much quicker than Man Utd target Elliot Anderson
Fans want United to sign Elliot Anderson this summer following his impressive form at Nottingham Forest, but his signature will also demand a fee of around £100 million.
If United have to pick between Anderson and Tonali in the summer, it will come down to fine margins. If pace and physicality is involved in that process, there is one clear winner.
READ MORE:Sandro Tonali’s £100m statement in FA Cup masterclass against Villa should intensify Man Utd links
Uefa stats reveal that Anderson has only hit a top speed of 30.63km/h in the Europa League this season – much slower than the pace of Tonali in the Champions League.
Of course, pace is not indicative of a player’s talent, but in the current state of the Premier League it is certainly an attribute to take into consideration.
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