It’s been a quiet transfer window so far for Manchester United.
Primary targets Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have both been snapped up by Tottenham with the duo deemed out of the Old Trafford club’s budget.
Having returned to the UEFA Champions League and exited both cup competitions at the first hurdle last term, United will likely have an extra 15 games to navigate this season compared to last season, where they were mostly playing once a week.
On top of that, Casemiro has left as a free agent and Manuel Ugarte is set for a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, leaving Kobbie Mainoo as the club’s only senior central midfielder.
Ederson is set to sign from Atalanta, but the club could do with at least another two central midfielders before the season starts.
We’ve looked at five midfielders the 20-time English champions could target.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid are reportedly interested in a number of midfielders this summer as they prepare for life under Jose Mourinho for a second time. Enzo Fernandez and Rodri have been linked, but significant arrivals may require significant departures.
Manchester United have long been linked with Aurelien Tchouameni, though the club may be wary of having their fingers burned, with previous signings from Real Madrid – Angel Di Maria, Raphael Varane and Casemiro – having mixed results.
It’s perhaps the dream signing for Manchester United, but Tchouameni may cost around £80m and reports suggest the France midfielder would need to take a pay cut, even if Real were willing to come to the table.
Alex Scott
A more realistic midfield prospect is Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. Neither Kobbie Mainoo nor Ederson are best suited to sitting at the base of midfield, whereas Scott is more comfortable operating deeper and is talented enough to receive the ball under pressure and dictate play – a role United require.
The 22-year-old is also a very capable ball carrier and good enough defensively to potentially operate alongside Mainoo, but with inflated midfielder market could see Bournemouth looking for nearly £80m.
The Guernsey-born midfielder grew into one of Bournemouth's most important players last season, starting 34 Premier League games, and though Bournemouth have Europa League football on the horizon, Scott's contract ends in two years.
Adam Wharton
Although United desperately need a passing midfielder, the club haven’t been particularly strongly linked with Adam Wharton, who could now command a significant fee with Tonali and Fernandes going for the better part of £100m each.
The former Blackburn midfielder is one of the Premier League’s best passers and fulfils a role where United are particularly short, though his work out of possession could raise concerns, with the club still needing a more physical presence.
The market for Wharton is currently dominated by Chelsea and Liverpool and that’s if he leaves Crystal Palace at all. United are 10/1 to sign Wharton in the summer.
Wharton missing out on England’s World Cup squad may make a move away from Selhurst Park more likely, but the Red Devils seemingly aren't interested at the moment.
Andrey Santos
Despite not quite fitting in at Chelsea, Andrey Santos could be an ideal fit for Manchester United.
The Brazilian was excellent on loan at Strasbourg under Liam Rosenior, making his lack of game time last season all the more surprising, starting just 13 Premier League games for the Blues.
The club seem happy enough to move the 22-year-old on to help Xabi Alonso rebuild his squad, and the reported £50m fee is within United’s price range.
Santos is an excellent defensive midfielder but also a very progressive passer, and is the sort of dual-purpose midfielder United could do with.
Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba appeared to be Manchester United’s top midfield target last summer, but the nine-figure asking price from Brighton scuppered the deal.
The Cameroon midfielder took a step back last season and as a result the asking price should drop considerably to around £70m, though his willingness to move to Old Trafford still remains.
United would still need a passer in midfield, but as an all-out destroyer to replace Casemiro, Baleba could fit the bill should United resurrect their interest.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
