Will Ederson be the sole replacement for Casemiro this summer? If he is, Manchester United have done well to get him for a reported bargain price of £39m.
In a day and age where Premier League players are being well and truly overvalued, it sticks out as a solid piece of business by Jason Wilcox and Co.
However good that move is from a business standpoint, they do need to look at investing more heavily in the midfield. Supporters are craving a marquee addition, someone like Elliot Anderson.
Yet, a degree of realism has be applied to the situation here. Nottingham Forest are said to be looking for a British record transfer fee for the player and Manchester City are at the table.
So, who could they get instead?
Man Utd line up exciting Elliot Anderson alternative
If United could cherry pick any player in the Premier League to sign this summer it feels like it would be that man Anderson.
The Englishman has established himself as one of the best players in the division and he is set to star alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park for England at the upcoming World Cup.
He is said to the club’s dream target but as the weeks go by, it feels like one that is simply unlikely to happen for the Red Devils. They will find it very tricky to beat City to his signature.
As a result, alternatives have been sought. United have allegedly already agreed personal terms with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba but is lower down the list in terms of priorities. Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes are two other options from within the Premier League.
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Perhaps one of the most exciting alternatives is Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. The club’s interest in the Italian is no secret and they would love to do a deal if he wasn’t worth a whopping £100m.
The latest on the midfielder’s future comes from TEAMtalk who report that Tonali’s dream move is to return to Italy and play for AC Milan again.
That, however, feels unlikely and Premier League teams are still lingering. United, City and Arsenal are all said to have maintained contact with the player’s camp regarding his situation. They are all assessing whether a move might be more possible later in the window when the price tag could come down.
They face further competition from Inter and Juventus who are also admirers of the midfielder.
How Tonali compares to Kobbie Mainoo
The situation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo has been a remarkable one. Six months ago it looked like his Man United career was done and dusted.
Bizarrely, Ruben Amorim did not want to play him. From August 2025 through to the end of Amorim’s time in the Premier League in mid-January, the Englishman did not start a single league match.
Well, Carrick looked to correct that immediately and brought Mainoo in from the cold. He was an important player again, one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The 21-year-old not just started every game he was available for, but he played 90 minutes in every match of Carrick’s tenure besides the defeat against Leeds, one he missed due to injury.
World Cup bound with England, Mainoo will no doubt be important again next term but who will partner him? Will it be Ederson or could it be Tonali? Well, in the shape of the Italian, they’d be signing a player who has very similar attributes.
While the Carrington graduate enjoys getting forward a bit more, Tonali is perhaps more reserved but their general traits are very likeminded.
|
Tonali vs Mainoo in 2025/26 Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90 mins) |
Tonali |
Mainoo |
|
Goals |
0 |
0.1 |
|
Assists |
0.1 |
0.2 |
|
Chances created |
1.2 |
1.2 |
|
Through balls |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Tackles made |
1.3 |
2.0 |
|
Take-ons completed |
0.7 |
1.1 |
|
Fouls won |
1.5 |
1.2 |
|
Duels won |
3.8 |
5.1 |
|
Ball recoveries |
5.3 |
5.2 |
There are some subtle differences between the two. Mainoo does make more tackles and would appear to be a stronger duel winner.
Yet, the best traits of both of these players is just how press resistant they are. That not only allows them to win plenty of fouls, but it also means they are brilliant at carrying the ball.
It also means that United can transition through the lines a lot more effectively. Mainoo is excellent in that regard and they could add another layer of energy to their midfield ranks with the signing of Tonali.
He may not bring the muscle that Casemiro brings but he is “one of the best midfielders in the world” in the words of his agent, Beppe Riso, so he has brilliant pedigree.
£100m is certainly too much when they already have Mainoo in their ranks but if they can drive the price down, it would be an exceptional signing.
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