Manchester United are so far suffering in their attempt to sign a replacement for Casemiro in the summer transfer window
Alex Scott is one of the players thought to be on Manchester United's radar this summer
Alex Scott is one of the players thought to be on Manchester United's radar this summer(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
View Image
Manchester United return to pre-season training on Thursday with Michael Carrick raring to go for the new campaign. "We know we’ve got what it takes to beat the best teams in this league," the United head coach wrote in the club's yearbook. "Now it’s about doing that over a full Premier League campaign, while also fighting for every trophy available to us.
"We’ve got a fantastic group of players, and we believe they have the required standards of talent, commitment and determination to be successful here. They love being at the club, and we can see how badly they want it; that gives us the confidence to know we’re really building something and moving in the right direction."
And while that optimism will be shared by the players already in the building, Carrick knows as well as anybody that new additions are needed too. Currently, the top priority is a Casemiro replacement.
While this summer was the right time to part ways with the Brazil international, his exit has left a major gap in the middle of the team. Atalanta's Ederson will be the first player coming in to bolster the middle, once his medical is completed.
However, Casemiro's compatriot is not someone who can fill the former Real Madrid star's spot. Originally, Elliot Anderson was earmarked to be that man but Nottingham Forest's £116m price tag was deemed too much for the Reds. Mateus Fernandes was seen as a more realistic target.
The Portuguese midfielder was destined to leave West Ham following their relegation. But, United saw the Irons' £85m price tag as being too high and were happy to wait for them to reconsider.
Unfortunately for them, Tottenham weren't willing to hang around. They agreed to reach West Ham's asking price and United were left moving on to Plan C.
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni and Bournemouth's Alex Scott are both believed to be on the Reds' radar. While the pursuit of Tchouameni is being treated with caution as United try to work out if Real actually want to sell him, Scott seems more than gettable.
The Cherries are thought to value the England international at £80m and having qualified for the Europa League next season, Bournemouth won't fear holding out for their desired asking price. United are not alone in their interest either.
Arsenal are understood to be keen while Manchester City, who had shown an interest in Sandro Tonali before he also joined Tottenham, are thought to be sniffing around too. The problem United have is that they are perhaps too principled this summer.
Now, we understand how hypocritical that sounds. For years, the media and fans have criticised United for spending extortionate sums on players who are not worth their asking price.
In fairness to Ineos, they are aware of that and have instead aimed to find value in the market. But at every turn so far, they have been outbid.
Both City and Spurs have agreed to pay big sums for players that United have refused to match. If the same keeps happening, United will get nowhere with their midfield pursuit.
Ultimately, any player the Reds try to sign will have other clubs interested. And so far, said other clubs have proven they are willing to meet asking prices to sign quality central midfielders.
Perhaps the dream scenario for United is to find a midfielder of the Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha mould. One that only has eyes for the Reds and therefore allows United to be more strict with negotiations.
But these players are few and far between. At some stage, United may need to bend their principles or admit they could miss out on yet more targets, in the search for a bargain.