Manchester United's midfield rebuild is a topic of intense interest, especially after the departure of Casemiro, who was instrumental in shutting down attacks at source. The club is looking to sign at least two, possibly three, players to strengthen their center of the team, with a preference for Premier League-proven recruits. The Athletic examines the qualities of several candidates under discussion, including Aurelien Tchouameni, Kobbie Mainoo, Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba, Ederson, Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali, Tyler Adams, Hayden Hackney, and Shea Charles.
One name that stands out is Aurelien Tchouameni, a 26-year-old midfielder from Real Madrid. Tchouameni is known for his ability to dictate the tempo of a game and is often at the heart of his side's build-up. He has a 57% "true" tackle success rate, which is the fifth-highest among La Liga midfielders this season. United officials have watched Tchouameni in person, and they are in position should Madrid express an openness to selling. However, the turmoil at the Bernabeu hints at an opportunity for United, and they are in touch with the relevant people in case a transfer becomes on the cards.
Kobbie Mainoo's resurgence in the heart of United's midfield means that any new signing will be playing alongside the 21-year-old. Mainoo's profile complements Casemiro's because of the different skill sets that the pair bring to the pitch. Mainoo is less likely to throw himself into challenges but is the one to drive United upfield with his strong technical ability. The club would be wise to look for an athletic, box-to-box midfielder with the defensive nous to snuff out danger, with a shortlist led by those who already possess Premier League experience.
One name on the lips of many sporting directors is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. Anderson is responsible for 16% of Forest's total passes this season, and his tenacity and intelligent reading of the game stand out. However, Manchester City are considered the clear frontrunners for Anderson's signature, though, with a fee in excess of £100 million anticipated. United are unlikely to bid that high.
West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes has been one of the most consistent performers in an otherwise difficult season for the east Londoners. Fernandes' control from midfield was integral to their uptick in form since the turn of the year. He is being tracked by United, with The Athletic revealing West Ham are expected to sell him this summer. Fernandes does not have a release clause but West Ham would want to make a good profit on the £38 million they paid Southampton for him last August.
If United were to look towards a dedicated protective defensive midfielder, you can understand why they enquired about Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba at the start of this season. Baleba is a combative, press-resistant midfielder who can be integral in his side's build-up. United held talks on Baleba last summer, and although his form has dipped this campaign, he remains a midfielder under watch. His return to the Brighton team in recent weeks has seen him reproduce the kind of play that initially attracted United.
Atalanta's Ederson profiles somewhere between Fernandes and Baleba. Ederson is active in hoovering up danger and reading the game well with a high volume of ball recoveries. He is a player United have tracked since last summer and he presents an option at the lower end of the cost scale, potentially in the region of £40 million, due to his contract expiring in 2027. They are aware of what his personal terms would look like.
Alex Scott is a midfield catalyst in a different manner. He is defensively combative when he needs to be, but the 22-year-old is much more in the market for getting on the ball. Scott would not disappoint in bringing energy to United's midfield, and he is rightfully receiving plaudits for his own performances this season. At his age, he would be a good long-term investment that could be a mainstay in United's midfield for the next decade.
Adam Wharton's on-ball ability needs little introduction. Among all Premier League midfielders (with 900-plus minutes played), nobody has averaged more than Wharton's 17.8 lines broken per 100 pass attempts this season. His defensive nous has been questioned previously, but do not underestimate the work that the 22-year-old can get through. United are in touch to understand the cost, which might be in the £40 million neighborhood. Adams has two years left on his Bournemouth contract.
Hayden Hackney is believed to be well-liked by those within the club, including Carrick, who coached him during his time at the Riverside Stadium before rejoining United in January. Hackney has long been thought of as a player with huge potential, with an ability to drift over to either side of the pitch to support the attack. While nominally a central midfielder, Hackney is comfortable operating at the top end of the pitch.
These are several candidates United are looking at, or have in the near past, but there are others the club has watched too. It is part of a strategy to build leverage and not be held to ransom on a single deal by having multiple targets. An important summer of business awaits.
