Manchester United are set to sign two new midfielders this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson one of their top targets, Fabrizio Romano reports.
United have moved up to third place since Michael Carrick took over as manager in mid-January, and the coaching staff and board can now start planning for a summer of European elite football at Old Trafford.
Anderson has been linked with United in recent months, along with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleva, who has been a target since his time with Erik ten Hag.
“I think the word we should use as this club is to finish as close to the top of the table as possible,” assistant manager Steve Holland told the club’s website about their Champions League appearance.
“I don’t know how possible that is, but the challenge should always be to get as close to the top as possible.
“We’ve been talking to our players more about actually winning games instead of thinking so much about what’s going on down there.
“But obviously given the circumstances, finishing in the Champions League would be a good situation for us, but I think you should always be looking for more than that.”
Manchester United are battling Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli to sign £44m wonderkid
The Red Devils are targeting “silky” players.
The transfer window at Old Trafford is expected to be very busy, especially if they qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
Manchester United to sign two new midfielders
According to Romano, United were already planning to bring in Casemiro’s replacement this summer, but will almost certainly opt for two new players in the heart of midfield.
This comes as Manuel Ugarte is also set to leave the club, with the midfielder playing just 70 minutes since arriving in Carrick.
“Another update I can give you is that, according to my information today, Manuel Ugarte could potentially leave Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
“Some moves are already starting to find solutions. So, as you can imagine, with Casemiro gone, Ugarte gone, Manchester United will probably be playing Champions League football and definitely European football. That means United need two more midfielders.”
The reporter also confirmed that Anderson is one of United’s targets in the position, but Manchester City are currently the furthest along with Nottingham Forest in a move for England’s outstanding signing.
Ugarte was one of Manchester United’s worst additions
Ugarte arrived with great excitement when he was signed from PSG for a fee of around £42 million, but the Uruguayan midfielder didn’t quite look like fans were expecting.
With just seven Premier League starts this season, the 24-year-old’s £120,000-a-week wage means INEOS will pay him nearly £1m per start this season – click for the full list.
rank | player | Total salary per week |
|---|---|---|
1 | Casemiro | £350,000 |
2 | Bruno Fernandes | 300,000 pounds |
3 | Matthijs de Ligt | 195,000 pounds |
4 | Matheus Cunha | £180,000 |
5 | Benjamin Sesco | £160,000 |
=6 | harry maguire | £150,000 |
=6 | luke shaw | £150,000 |
=6 | mason mount | £150,000 |
=6 | Brian Mbeumo | £150,000 |
10 | Nusser Mazrawi | 135,000 pounds |
=11 | Lisandro Martinez | 120,000 pounds |
=11 | andrew o’nan | 120,000 pounds |
=11 | Manuel Ugarte | 120,000 pounds |
=11 | Amad Diallo | 120,000 pounds |
It is perhaps unsurprising that he has been limited to substitute appearances under Carrick, as United have failed to win in all competitions in the last four games he has started.
