A midfielder or two. That is the order of the day in terms of recruitment at Manchester United this summer.
Casemiro is set to leave Old Trafford and with Manuel Ugarte likely to flee the scene, it means INEOS and Co may need to find two slots.
While Ugarte has offered very little during his time in Manchester, Casemiro will take up some space.
The Brazilian’s transition to English football is to be admired. Not long ago, a well-known commentator told him to leave the ball before the ball left.
However, the midfielder has not lost many Champions Leagues by mistake. He has shown an incredible level of mental toughness to deliver what has been one of his best campaigns.
So, where will United turn in their bid to replace the former Real Madrid man?
A short list of Manchester United transfers
The short list of Man United stadium is as long as your arm.
A number of names have been linked with a move, including Wolves’ Joao Gomes and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
However, two key targets have been Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. Tonali is expected to cost around £100m but Anderson won’t come cheap either.
Reports at the beginning of this week say that it could take around £120m to reward him while he is not at the City Ground, and United’s bosses are said to have opened discussions with the England player’s representatives.
As it happens, he is not the only English player who is loved by the Red Devils.
Man Utd’s most expensive signing ever
Most of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
According to a Sky Sports report, United are one of the clubs looking for Aston Villa player Morgan Rogers.
It is claimed that Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea from within the Premier League are planning to move the Villa superstar elsewhere.
Champions League winners PSG have also cast their eye on the attacking midfielder and could have the upper hand, given that he has been rated as a £100m player by previous reports.
Why Morgan Rogers could be Bruno Fernandes 2.0
Man United have endured a consistent 2025/26, but if there has been one constant, it has been Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder started the season as a deep-lying midfielder under Ruben Amorim but has stepped up to the next level in recent months following the temporary appointment of Michael Carrick.
It’s not rocket science. Carrick inserted Fernandes into his preferred position going forward and it worked well.
The United captain has 16 assists in the Premier League and may be on course to break the club’s record of 20 assists in a single season, held by Thierry Henry.
And an eight-goal scorer, the 31-year-old is arguably in the form of his life. However, there is still a threat to leave this midfielder as Saudi has applied to try him in English football.
Regardless of whether the former player decides to leave Old Trafford, Rogers could be Man United’s next version of Fernandes.
A stunning Premier League talent, there’s a reason he’s worth £100m and that’s because, like Fernandes, he’s a regular scorer of goals and assists.
Once on the books of Manchester City’s academy, the England international has been on the move to find fame in the Premier League but now at Aston Villa, he is lighting up the top flight.
Last season, the 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year and impressed enough to take home the PFA Young Player of the Year award. In 54 games in all competitions, the attacking midfielder scored 14 times and provided 16 assists. It was a truly Fernandes-esque season.
|
Rogers vs Fernandes: 2024/25 Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
Rogers |
Fernandes |
|
Goals |
0.3 |
0.3 |
|
Shots |
1 |
2 |
|
Gun accuracy |
58% |
44% |
|
Conversion rate |
14% |
8% |
|
It helps |
0.3 |
0.3 |
|
Opportunities are created |
1.5 |
2.8 |
|
The takeover is complete |
1.9 |
0.9 |
|
Duels won |
5.0 |
5.2 |
At this point, Rogers is back on his feet and while the numbers aren’t that impressive, he’s still putting up regular scoring with ten goals and seven assists in 45 games.
A dead certainty to be in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, like Anderson, this is a step United should be looking forward to before the world event begins.
Should Rogers make a move to America this summer, that £100m price tag could be even bigger.
However, he is a proven Premier League player, he is English and most importantly, he is one of the most exciting players in English football right now.
At 31 years old, Fernandes is not young and the Aston Villa sensation, United could sign another ready.
Man Utd were expected to win the £80m race to sign a bigger talent than Anderson
Manchester United look set to complete a move for a new midfielder this summer.
