Four Premier League midfielders found themselves on Manchester United’s radar last summer and could be back on the shopping list when the transfer window reopens
Adam Wharton battling with Carlos Baleba
Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba were both linked with Manchester United last summer(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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In the summer of 2025, Manchester United decided refreshing the front line was a more urgent concern than strengthening in the middle of the park. In the upcoming window, though, they may well return to some of the targets they considered in the past.
A lack of European football and a period of resurgence from Casemiro has allowed United to cope just fine without another midfield addition and mount a top-four challenge. The Brazilian is leaving in the summer, though, and a new starting midfielder will feel like a must regardless of whether others also move on.
Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott and Adam Wharton were four of the names floated of late, with no move materialising for any of the four for a variety of reasons. Here, we’ve taken a closer look at how they’ve got on this season after all staying put.
Elliot Anderson
Anderson has dealt with plenty of turmoil at club level this season. Nottingham Forest are onto their fourth permanent manager of the campaign - a Premier League record - but he has managed to look fantastic in a struggling side.
He has also established himself at international level, only making his debut in September but keeping his place in every single one of Thomas Tuchel’s squads. He has started five of six games and already looks like a lock for the World Cup squad while making a strong case to start the opener.
Elliot Anderson playing for Nottingham Forest against Fulham
Elliot Anderson has been a shining light for Nottingham Forest(Image: Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
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Anderson’s press-resistance, positional discipline and energy make him a rare commodity. At 23, he has a frighteningly high ceiling too.
Grade: 9/10
Carlos Baleba
While Anderson has stayed strong despite his team’s drop-off, there’s a case that Baleba’s decline in form has been the reason for Brighton flattering to deceive this term. The Cameroon star finished last season strongly but was willing to admit he hasn’t hit those heights this term.
Carlos Baleba during Brighton vs Arsenal
Carlos Baleba has had an up-and-down season for Brighton(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"I feel more relaxed now,” he told Sky Sports in February, suggesting a break to play for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations helped him bounce back. “The noise about me outside, I didn't understand. I didn't look on the websites. I'm more focused on me, myself and for my team-mates."
At 22, he too has space to improve. However, there hasn’t been the same sense as last season that he’s been at a level to justify the nine-figure asking price we were seeing last term.
Grade: 6/10
Alex Scott
Alex Scott during Burnley vs Bournemouth
Alex Scott has seen some big changes at Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
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There has been plenty of upheaval at Bournemouth this season but Scott has stayed and impressed. The likes of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi left a big gap with their summer exits, as did Antoine Semenyo with his January move to Manchester City, leaving plenty of pressure on the likes of Scott to step up.
There have been some big performances but he was the first to admit the consistency hasn’t always been there - though that’s natural for a player his age. “I think there were a few games where my levels dropped, but I'm back to my best. I'm definitely in the form of my life,” the 22-year-old told BBC Radio Solent in February.
He earned a first England call-up but remained on the bench against Albania in November so has been made to wait for his England debut. Scott also missed out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the March internationals and there’s an argument that the resurgent Kobbie Mainoo has taken the place which might have been his, raising questions about whether he’s the right fit for United.
Grade: 7/10
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton playing for Crystal Palace against AEK Larnaca
Adam Wharton has been a regular for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Conference League(Image: Daniel Weir/Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock)
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Crystal Palace star Wharton has joined Mainoo in making the cut for Tuchel’s latest squad. The former Blackburn midfielder played his first international games in nearly 18 months when he featured against Serbia and Albania in November and certainly looks to have the skillset the Three Lions boss wants from a midfielder.
Wharton always looks composed on the ball and has seemed far more assured than his tender age would suggest. However, there are still question marks when it comes to helping break down more defensive teams, even if that’s not his principal role in a side.
Whether Wharton is the right fit could depend on what else United do midfield-wise. Talk of a Bruno Guimaraes move has gathered pace of late and Wharton’s qualities would appear to blend well with those of the Brazilian - though spending money might need to be brought in by other means.
Grade: 7.5/10