Manchester United are set to sign two new midfielders this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson among their top targets, reports Fabrizio Romano.
United have climbed up to third place since Michael Carrick took charge in mid-January, and the coaching staff and board can begin to plan for a summer with elite European football on offer at Old Trafford.
Anderson has been strongly linked with United in recent months, along with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who has been a target since the Erik ten Hag era.
“I think the language we should be using as this club is to finish as close as we possibly can to the top,” assistant manager Steve Holland told club’s website about their Champions League charge.
“I don’t know how possible that is, but that has to be the challenge always: to get as close as we possibly can to the top.
“We’ve been speaking more to the players really about winning our matches, rather than thinking too much about what’s happening below.
“But clearly given the context, to finish in the Champions League places would be a good situation for us, but I think always we should be looking for more than that.”
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The Red Devils are targeting a “silky” player.
The transfer window is expected to be extremely busy at Old Trafford, especially if they secure a place in Europe’s elite competition.
Man Utd set to sign two new midfielders
According to Romano, United were already planning to sign a replacement for Casemiro this summer, but will now almost certainly opt to bring in two new faces in the heart of midfield.
This is because Manuel Ugarte is also set to leave the club, with the midfielder featuring for just 70 minutes since Carrick’s arrival.
“The other update I can give you, is according to my information today, Manuel Ugarte could also leave Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
“Some movements have already started to find solutions. So you can imagine, with Casemiro leaving, Ugarte leaving, with Manchester United probably playing Champions League football, for sure playing European football, it means that United need two more midfielders.”
The reporter also confirmed Anderson is one of United’s targets for the position, however Manchester City are currently the most advanced in a move for the Nottingham Forest and England standout.
Ugarte has been one of Man Utd’s worst signings
Ugarte arrived with much excitement when he was signed from PSG for a fee of around £42m, but the Uruguayan has never looked like the midfielder fans were expecting.
Starting just seven times in the Premier League this season, the 24 year-old’s £120,000-a-week wage means INEOS will shell out nearly £1m per start this season – click for full list.
|
Rank |
Player |
Gross pay per week |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Casemiro |
£350,000 |
|
2 |
Bruno Fernandes |
£300,000 |
|
3 |
Matthijs de Ligt |
£195,000 |
|
4 |
Matheus Cunha |
£180,000 |
|
5 |
Benjamin Sesko |
£160,000 |
|
=6 |
Harry Maguire |
£150,000 |
|
=6 |
Luke Shaw |
£150,000 |
|
=6 |
Mason Mount |
£150,000 |
|
=6 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
£150,000 |
|
10 |
Noussair Mazraoui |
£135,000 |
|
=11 |
Lisandro Martinez |
£120,000 |
|
=11 |
Andre Onana |
£120,000 |
|
=11 |
Manuel Ugarte |
£120,000 |
|
=11 |
Amad Diallo |
£120,000 |
United have not won any of the last four matches he has started in all competitions, so it is perhaps no surprise he has been limited to substitute appearances under Carrick.