Manchester United’s Summer Midfield Transfer Targets

Who Will Be Manchester United’s Next Midfielder?

Like the list of managers linked to the Red Devil’s hotseat, the list of potential player signings linked to United is longer than an airport security line over Christmas, while the TSA is on strike. It is hard to tell if Jason Wilcox’s strategy is one of misdirection or scattergun and see what sticks. Either way, if there is a player available, they are likely being talked about in the same sentence as Manchester United.

Widespread opinion currently indicates that the Red Devils require reinforcements across the pitch. Those same reports also claim that United will prioritise central midfield above all other positions. In an effort to sift through the sea of names linked to Old Trafford, I have composed the following shortlist.

Each player has a credible link to Old Trafford. And, Each has a skillset that could benefit this squad.

However, despite how comprehensive this list is, questions still remain regarding United’s recruitment process. Questions like, who should Manchester United sign, versus who will they actually sign? How will their finances and the uncertainty over Sir Jim Ratcliffes future dictate their summer plans? And, how will the clubs unresolved managerial situation effect said plans?

If you are interested in reading more about the answers to those questions please see my follow up post titled, Manchester United’s Summer Rebuild. For now here is my breakdown of the various midfield targets United are supposedly tracking.

Ederson

Ederson is a 26 year old Brazilian defensive midfielder who currently plays for Atalanta. He was, according to reports, United’s top target when they purchased Manuel Ugarte. But they were forced to go with the Urugian because Atalanta’s asking price was in the realm of $75 million. Since then however, Atalanta has fallen hard from grace. Thankfully for United, their current struggles and the fact that Ederson will enter the last year of his contract next season has dropped his asking price. Now the Italian side are willing to listen to offers in the range of $40 million.

Ederson’s stats suggest he is an exceptional tackler of the ball. He ranks in the 90th percentile or higher for ball retention, successful tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won. He is also an elite passer. While his metrics show he covers more ground per match than any of United’s current players. And, he is regarded for his elite mentality.

Adding to his impressive stats, he also happens to be Casemiro’s understudy for the Brazilian national team. There are few players on this list that fit the bill for Manchester United better than Ederson. His abilities as a number 6, his mentality, his age, his price tag…Casemiro’s endorsement is merely icing on the cake.

Bruno Guimaraes

Bruno Guimaraes is another Brazilian midfielder reportedly being heavily endorsed by his Manchester United compatriot, Casemiro. The 28 year old is an all action midfielder who can play as a number 6, 8 or 10. His versatility and leadership are more than evident in his role as Newcastle’s captain. He also leads the Magpies in goals scored (9), assists (4) and chances created per 90 minutes. Making him Newcastle’s most important player (meaning he won’t come cheap).

He ranks in the 85th percentile or higher in the EPL for successful passes, chance creation, goal conversion, progressive passing, passing accuracy, duels won, successful carries, successful tackles, and chance creation.

In short, he would be an ideal player to challenge and mentor Kobbie Mainoo. He could also supplement for Bruno or Casemiro when needed. There is no denying that he is one of the best and most consistent midfielders in the Premier League. His positional flexibility, reliability and leadership would make him an excellent addition to the Old Trafford dressing room.

What’s more, reports over the last few weeks have revealed that Manchester United and Guimaraes are in advanced negotiations regarding the players terms. It has also come to light that there is a gentleman’s agreement between the club and player. While Newcastle do not want to part ways with their skipper, the agreement allows Bruno to explore other opportunities under one condition. If Newcastle misses out on Champions League next season. Which looks all but certain.

If all goes United’s way, he may well be a Red Devil before the World Cup.

Sandro Tonali

Bruno Guimaraes is not the only Newcastle midfielder that is on Manchester United’s radar. Sandro Tonali is the Magpies starting CDM. The 25 year old Italian midfielder is one of the highest ranking turnaround men in the game. There are few players in the EPL who are better at winning back possession, then initiating the attack than him. Exactly what any team would want in a number 6.

His stats show that he ranks in the top 10%-15% of players for pass completion, pass volume, progressive passing, and long shot accuracy and conversion. He also ranks in the 90th percentile for most defensive stats. Such as; winning back possession, successful tackles, interceptions, distance covered per match, and overall defensive contributions,

Only Declan Rice, Moise Caicedo, and Rodri, outrank Tonali in the defensive stats department in the EPL this season. And like his Newcastle captain, he is rumored to be in advanced negotiations regarding player terms with Manchester United.

Without a doubt Tonali would be an exceptional addition to the Old Trafford dressing room. Unfortunately, it is extremely rare for a club to sign two highly rated players from the same team in the same transfer window. Add to that trend the controversy surrounding United’s recruitment of Dan Ashworth from The Toon, and it seems even more likely that Newcastle will make it as hard as they can for United to sign both players.

Adam Wharton

Adam Wharton is a 22 year old English defensive midfielder, currently playing for Crystal Palace. He is considered one of the most promising young English players in the game. His current form has seen him called up to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup. And, it has even landed him as a top target this summer for Real Madrid.

His stats rank him in the top 10% of players in Europe for progressive passing, key passes, duels won, tackles per 90min, pass completion, interceptions, and ball recoveries. At only 22, like Kobbie Mainoo, he is probably still too young to anchor the United midfield full time. But, he is an excellent holding midfielder. One for the future. And, he would be an excellent addition to the United squad.

Increasing Manchester United’s interest in him is Crystal Palace’s managerial situation. The Eagles boss, Oliver Glasner, has already announced his departure at the end of the season. With Palace in as precarious a situation as United regarding a new manager, the United front office are hopeful that they can sign the Palace prized asset for a discounted price between $50-60 million.

Which considering his abilities and age, makes him a steal. While also making him a top target for Manchester United’s rivals across Europe and the Premier League.

Elliot Anderson

Elliot Anderson is another young English holding midfielder playing for Nottingham Forest. At only 23 he isn’t just in the top ten percent of all statistical metrics. He leads the league in progressive passing, successful tackles, interceptions, key passes, passing percentage, and ball recoveries.

Additionally, Nottingham Forest are currently in a relegation battle. Which has led to reports that Anderson will seek a new club in the summer. However, in the last two seasons his stock has risen stratospherically. Not only will he cost north of $80 million, but United face competition from Manchester City for his signature. Even Fabrizio Romano is reporting that City are frontrunners to land the young Englishman. He even goes so far as to say that Anderson is already in advanced negotiations with the Citizens.

Elliot Anderson would be a wonderful addition to the United squad. And, right up until the moment Manchester City entered the race for his signature, he was United’s number one target. However, since facing competiton from our rivals, smoke around his signing has cleared. Now he appears to be more of a pipedream rather than a realistic possibility.

Carlos Baleba

Carlos Baleba has been on Manchester United’s recruitment list for almost three years now. He has been viewed as a top prospect as far back as the Erik ten Hag era. It was only last season that Baleba was even considered the second best CDM in the league, behind only Rodri. And, for good reason.

Last Season he ranked in the top 10% in the EPL for pass completion, interceptions, tackles won and progressive carries. Meanwhile, his scouting analysis has him labeled as one of Europe’s elite tacklers and passers. And, at only 22 years of age.

However, so far this season, he has failed to reach the heights that previously put him high on United’s recruitment list. This campaign his youth and Brighton’s struggles have shown through in his inconsistency.

Regardless, Brighton still hold him in extremely high regard. Last summer, the Seagulls wanted north of $100 million for Baleba. Yet, speaking to that high regard, regardless of his poor run of form this season, that figure has only dropped to $80 million.

There are very few arguments against Baleba’s potential. However, said inconsistency, and the relative cost of his contemporaries makes his price tag balkable. It also feels irresponsible to not mention that Manchester United have spent a lot of money in recent years on potential alone and have been seriously burned. Considering Baleba’s poor form this season, and Brighton’s asking price, his signing represents a huge gamble. But, a gamble that could pay huge dividends if the Cameroonian is properly developed.

Alex Scott

Compared to other Premier league midfielders Alex Scott is a top ten EPL CDM. He ranks in the 90th percentile or higher for all of the following metrics. Shots on target, xG, successful dribbles, duels won, defensive contributions, interceptions, blocked shots, clearances, fouls won and ball recoveries.

His defensive and possession stats are spectacular. And like Casemiro, he has an eye for goal. After dominating the midfield against Manchester United in their recent controversial draw against Bournemouth, Scott’s talent was indisputable.

What he seems to lack is the passing range that other players on this list excel at. If the goal was to bring Scott to Old Trafford as a replacement for Manuel Ugarte, then I am onboard. There is even an argument to sign him as competition and rotation for Mainoo.

However, if the goal is to sign Scott as a replacement or upgrade for either Mainoo or Casemiro, then I fear Manchester United will be left wanting. His passing range is simply too average. Casemiro in particular has an elite passing range. Paul Scholes-esque even. Replacing that ability to see a pass and make said pass is harder than it seems. And Scott simply lacks that range and vision.

Eduardo Camavinga

At only 23, Eduardo Camavinga is considered one of the top ten best defensive midfielders in the world. His stats and performances have recently been blighted by the fact that he has either been injured or playing out of position for Real Madrid.

However, that doesn’t mean that the young frenchman has lost his potency. He still ranks in the top 10% of players in the world for pass completion, tackles won, successful take ons, defensive contributions, clearances, ground duels, and progressive passing.

Peaking Manchester United’s interest is that he has fallen out of favor at Real Madrid. In part due to injuries. In part due to the emergence of Aurelien Tchouameni. Making him a rare opportunity for United to add another world class player to their ranks.

The stumbling block for the Red Devils is that Real Madrid know what kind of player they have in Camavinga. Meaning they do not seem willing to let him leave the Bernabeu. At least not for anything less than a record breaking fee.

Though I would also argue that Camavinga is going to be a generational player. Regardless of the pricetag or the push back from Real, he still represents the closest thing to a sure bet when compared to the other players on this list. And, he may be the only player quasi-available that has the potential to completely fill the boots of Casemiro.

Tyler Adams

Being an American Red Devil, nothing would make me happier than to see Tyler Adams in a Manchester United kit. The Red Devils have a scant history of Americans in their ranks. Tim Howard is the only notable United player from the USA to dawn a Red Devils kit since the 1950’s

As captain of the USMNT and one of Bournemouth’s most influential squad members, Adams represents experience and leadership. Two virtues that Manchester United will seriously lack in Casemiro’s absence. Adams’s all around stats are average at best, but he represents one of the few safe options on this list.

At the age of 28, his strengths and weaknesses are well known. He isn’t exactly the calibre of player United need to replace Casemiro. Although, like Scott or Wharton, he represents a reliable option to increase United’s depth chart. And an opportunity for the Old Trafford front office to endear themselves to the clubs American constituency.

Adams’s $40 million dollar price tag combined with his EPL experience, makes him a serious contender for the Red Devil’s summer transfer plans. However, his injury history and average metrics mean he is at best thought of as a supplemental recruit rather than a ready made replacement.

Joao Gomes

Joao Gomes is a 25 year old Brazilian, who like Ederson is a Casemiro understudy.

Gomes is a traditional defensive midfielder through and through. He ranks in the top fifteen percent of his EPL contemporaries for interceptions, ball recoveries, clearances, blocks, duels won, defensive contributions. And, of course, yellow cards. He also leads the league in tackles won.

However, unlike Casemiro, Gomes leaves a lot to be desired in terms of ball progression, possession, and passing. Where he ranks in the 55th to 68th percentiles.

Other than his defensive contributions, Gomes’s asking price is what makes him particularly attractive to the Old Trafford front office. With it all but a mathematical certainty that Wolves will be relegated this year, Wolverhampton’s asking price has dropped to around $40 million.

The price is right, his defensive stats are some of the best in the league, and he is EPL proven. However, I fear that there is too much contrast between his defensive qualities versus his passing and ball progression. He seems too much like Ugarte, but with Premier League experience.

As I pointed out earlier, Casemiro’s overall contribution on the pitch needs to be considered when searching for his replacement. Not just his defensive attributes.

Casemiro

I chose to put Casemiro on this list because there is still an element of uncertainty regarding his departure. Despite continued statements from the player confirming his desire to leave, and his astronomical wages, the door is still open for him to stay.

Even though he turned 34 recently, he has arguably been one of United’s most irreplicable players over the last four years. Behind only Bruno Fernandes. I could even argue that he almost single handedly carried us to the EFL final, and won the trophy for us in 2023. Because of this, it is hard to see where United are going to be able to find a replacement of equal calibre and influence.

At the moment, the only CDM’s in the world that can hold a candle to Casemiro’s combined leadership, experience, passing ability, defensive stats and overall importance to the squad are Rodri, Caicedo, Rice, Tchouameni, Kimmich, de Jong, and Vitinha.

The problem for United is that none of those players is available. It is that reality that has given rise to hope from the fans that he may find the Old Trafford faithful too hard to leave behind. I for one still hold out hope he will sign an extension. However, as a betting man, I will not be putting any money on it.

Summer Transfer Plans Revealed

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans are hard to predict. Despite dozens of so called experts trying to convincingly sell their own perspective.

There are plenty of times when the Fabrizio Romano’s and Mark Ogdon’s of the world genuinely know what they are talking about. However, there are so many extenuating circumstances dictating what United can and cannot do. So much so, that I fear no amount of expertise can predict what Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Christian Vivell can pull off.

As far as their midfield targets are concerned, it appears as if the club has compiled the best shortlist possible of players that could be available. While most of the players on this list represent either great potential or great leadership, none of them is an established top five midfielder in the world.

As none of those top players is available, this list represents a best of the rest approach. However, it also represents a shortlist of players with a lot of potential. If developed and deployed properly, many of these players have a high enough ceiling to be able to help United win trophies.

For more on the afformented extenuating circumstance and an analysis on which of these players United should and will most likely to recruit , please take a look at my upcoming breakdown titled, Manchester United’s Summer Midfield Rebuild.

Glory, Glory Man United!